k. 


\* 


DIVINE  SONGS 


FOR 


CHILDREN. 


BY  ISAAC  WATTS,  D.  D, 


i  Out  of  the  Mouths  of  Babes  and  Sucklings  thou  hast 
perfected  Praise.'     Matt.  xxi.  16. 

»        i 
TO  WHICH  IS  ADDED, 
DR.  WATTS'  PLAIN  AND  EASY 

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INTRODUCTION. 


To  Parents,  and  #11  that  are  concerned  in  the 
Ediicatio?i  of  Children. 

VERSE  was  first  designed  for  the  praising  of  God, 
though  it  has  been  wretchedly  abused  since.  The  an- 
cients, among  the  Jews  and  the  Heathens,  taught  their 
children  and  disciples  the  precepts  of  morality  and  wor- 
ship, inverse.  The  children  of  Israel  were  commanded 
to  learn  the  words  of  the  song  of  Moses,  Deut.  xxxi, 
19.  30.  and  w,e  are  directed  in  the  New-  Testament, 
not  only  to  sing  with  grace  in  the  heart,  but  to  teach 
and  admonish  one  another  by  hymns  and  songs. — > 
Ephes.  v.  19.  And  there  are  these  three  advantages 
in  it : 

I.  There  is  a  great  delight  in  the  very  learning  of 
truths  and  duties  this  way.  There  is  something  so 
amusing  and  entertaining,  in  rhymes  and  metre,  that 
will  incline  children  to  make  this  part  of  their  business  a 
diversion.  And  you  may  turn  their  very  duty  into  a  re» 
ward,  by  giving  them  |he  privilege  of  learning  a  fe\y 
verses  every  week,  if1  they  fulfil  the  business  of  the 
week  well,  and,  after  a  time,  promising  them  the  book; 
itself. 

II.  What  is  learnt  in  verse,  is  longer  retained  in 
memory,  and  sooner  recollected.  The  like  sousd,  and 
like  number  of  syllables,  exceedingly  assist  the  remem- 
brance. And  it  may  often  happen,  that  part  of  a 
"f<?rse  rimnrng  in  the  mind,  may  be  an  effectual  mea^s- 


INTRODUCTION. 

to  keep  off  some  temptation  or  to  incline  to  wme 
duty,  when  a  word  of  scripture  is  not  upon  their 
thoughts. 

III.  This  will  he  a  constant  furniture  for  the  minds  of 
children,  that  they  may  have  something  to  think  when 
alone  ;  and  to  repeat  to  themselves.  This  may  sometimes 
give  their  thoughts  a  divine  turn,  and  raise  a  serious  medit- 
ation. Thus  they  will  not  be  forced  to  seek  relief  for  an 
emptiness  of  mind  out  of  the  loose  and  dangerous  sonnets 
of  the  age. 

The  greatest  part  of  this  little  book  was  composed  sev- 
eral years  ago,  at  the  request  of  a  friend,  who  has  been 
long  engaged  in  the  work  of  teaching  a  great  number  of 
children  of  all  kinds,  and  with  abundant  skill  and  suc- 
cess. So  that  you  will  find  here,  nothing  that  savours  of 
a  party.  And  as  I  have  endeavoured  to  sink  the  lan- 
guage to  the  level  of  a  child's  understanding,  and  yet  to> 
keep  it,  if  possible,  above  contempt ;  so  1  have  designed 
to  profit  all,  if  possible  and  offend  none.  1  hope  the  more 
general  the  sense  is,  these  composures  may  be  of  the  more 
universal  use  aad  service.  I.  WATTS, 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

1  A  GENERAL  Song  of  praise  to  God,  -  -      7 

2  Praise  for  Creation  and   Providence,  -            8, 

3  to  God  for  our  Redemption,       -  § 

4  — -for  Birth  and  Education  in  a  Christian  Land,iQ 

5  — for  Mercies,   spiritual  and  temporal,       -     11 

6  for  the  Gospel,           -            -  12 

7  The  Excellency  of  the  Bible.       -  -    13 

8  Heaven  and  Hell,  14 

9  Against  Quarrelling  and  Fighting,         -  -     15 

10  Scoffing  and  calling  names,  16 

11  Obedience  to  Parents,  -             -             -  -    17| 

12  Solemn  thoughts  of  God  and  Death,  -          ibJ 

13  Against  Idleness  and  Mischief,               -  ■-     18| 

14  The  Advantage  of  early  Religion,  -  -             19 

15  A  Morning  Song,         -             -             -  20 

16  The  Child's  Complaint,     -            -  .             21 

17  An  Evening  Song,       -  -tb. 

18  Against  Lying,"  22 

19  Love  between  Brothers  and  Sisters,       -  -       23 

20  Against  Pride  in  Clothes,     -           -  -             !4 

21  — Evil  Company,           -             -  -       16 

22  Examples  of  Early  Piety,  17 

23  The  Danger  of  Delay,     -            -  I& 

24  Glory  to  the  Father,  &c.                      -  -       b. 

25  The  Ten  Commandments,  ,"'  -  -  19 
28  Duty  to  God  and  our  Neighbor,  -  "  f " 
27  The  Hosanna,  &c.   -          -            -  -          *. 

a2 


MORAL  SONGS,  4 

eagf. 

1  A  Cradle  Hymn,        -               -             -  -    30 

2  The  Ant  or  Emmet,            f  33 

3  The  Rose,        -             -             -            4  ib, 

4  On  Learning  to  read,  34 

5  Good  Resolutions,         -            *             -  35 
0  The  Golden  Rule,    *'*■-'«  3G 


S 


DIVINE    SONGS. 


I .  A  general  song  of  Praise  to  God. 

!  HOW  glorious  is  our  heavejily  king 
Who  reigns  above  the  sky  ! 
How  shall  a  child  presume  to  sing   . 
His  dreadful  majesty  1 

2  How  great  bis  pow'r  is,  none  can  tell* 

Nor  think  how  large  his  grace  ; 
Not  men  below,  nor  saints  that  dwell 
On  high  before  his  face. 

3  Not  angels  that  stand  round  the  Lord 

Can  search  his  secret  will  ; 
But  they  perform  his  heav'nly  word? 
And  sing  his  praises  still. 

4  Then  let  me  join  this  holy  train, 

And  my  first  ofFring  bring  ; 
Th'  eternal  God  will  not  disdain. 
To  hear  an  infant  sing. 

6  My  heart  resolves,  my  tongue  obeys* 
And  angels  shall  rejoice, 
To  hear  their  mighty  Maker's  praise 
Sound  from  a  feeble  voice. 


; 

2.  Praise  for  Creation  and  Providence^ 

1  I  SING  the  almighty  pow'r  of  God, 

That  made  the  mountains  rise  ; 
That  spread  the  flowing;  seas  abroad, 
And  built  the  lofty  skies. 

2  I  sing  the  wisdom  that  ordain'd 

The  sun  to  rule  the  day  ; 
The  moon  shines  full  at  his  command, 
And  all  the  stars  obey. 

3  I  sing  the  goodness  of  the  Lord, 

That  fill'd  the  earth  with  food  ; 
He  formed  the  creatures  with  his  word, 
And  then  pronounced  them  good. 

4  Lord,  how  thy  wonders  are  display 'd 

Where'er  I  turn  my  eye  ! 
If  I  survey  the  ground  I  tread, 
Or  gaze  upon  the  sky. 

5  There's  not  a  plant  or  flow'r  below, 

But  makes  thy  glories  known  ; 
And  clouds  arise  and  tempests  blow, 
By  order  from  thy  throne. 

6  Creatures  (as  num'rous  as  they  be) 

Are  subject  to  thy  care  ; 
There's  not  a  place  where  we  can  flee, 
But  thou  art  present,  there. 

*J  In  Heav'n  he  shines  with  beams  of  love, 


With  wrath  in  hell  beneath  ; 
'Tis  on  his  earth  I  stand  or  move3 
And  'tis  his  air  I  breathe, 

8  His  hand  is  ray  perpetual  guard, 
He  keeps  me  with  bi&  eye  ; 
Why  should  I  then  forget  the  Lord, 
Who  is  for  ever  nigh  ? 

3.  Praise  to  God  for  our  Redemption, 

X  BLEST  be  the  wisdom  and  the  pow'r. 
The  justice  and  the  grace, 
That  jom'd  in  council  to  restore 
And  save  our  r.'in'd  race, 

2  Our  father  ate  forbrlden  fruit, 

And  from  his  glorj  fell : 
And  we,  his  children^  thus  were  brought 
To  death  and  near  to  hell. 

3  Blest  be  the  Lord  that  'sent  his  Son  ' 

To  take  our  flesh  ancl  blood  ; 
He  for  our  lives  gave  up  his  own, 
To  make  our  peace  with  God. 

4  He  honoured  all  his  father's  laws, 

Which  we  have  disobey'd  ; 
He  bore  our  sins  upon  the  cross, 
And  our  full  ransom  paid. 

I  Behold  him  rising  from  the  grave  \ 
Behold  him  rais'd  on  high  ; 


/ 


10 

He  pleads  his  merit  there  to  save 
Transgressors  doom'd  to  die. 

6  There  on  a  glorious  throne  he  reigns, 

And  by  his  pow'r  divine 
Redeems  us  f*om  the  slavish  chains 
Of  $atan  and  of  sin. 

7  Thence  shall  the  Lord  to  judgment  come. 

And  with  a  sovereign  voice, 
Shall  call  and  break  up  every  tomb, 
While  waking  saints  rejoice. 

8  O  may  I  then  with  joy  appear 

Before  the  Judge's  fac. 
And  with  the  bless'd  as^mbly  there 
Sing  his  redeeming  .grace. 

4.  Praise  for  BuAm  and  Education  in  a 
Chridian  Land. 

I  GREAT  God,     rc.hee  my  voice  I  raise, 
To  thee  my  yrtjngest  hours  belong, 
I  would  begin  my  life  with  praise 
Till  growing  years  improve  the  song. 

%  'Tis  to  tby  sov'reign  grace  I  owe, 

That  I  was  born  on  Christian  ground  : 
Where  streams  of  heavenly  merey  flow, 
And  words  of  sweet  salvation  sound. 

3.  I  would  not  change  my  native  land, 


^ 


t'©r  rich  Peru  with  all  her  gold  : 
A  nobler  prize  lies  in  my  hand, 
Than  east  or  western  Indies  hold* 

4  How  I  do  pity  those  that  dwell, 

Where  Ignorance  and  darkness  reigns  j* 
They  know  no  heav'n,  they  fear  no  Hell, 
Those  endless  joys,  those  endless  pains* 

5  Thy  glorious  promises,  O  Lord 

Kindle  my  hopes  and  my  desire  ; 
While  all  the  preachers  of  thy  word, 
Warn  me  to  'scape  eternal  fire. 

6  Thy  praise  shall  still  employ  my  breach, 

Since  thou  hast  mark'd  my  way  to  hea.?5n  ; 
ftor  will  I  run  the  road  to  death, 

And  waste  the  blessings  thou  has  giv'n, 

5.  Praise  for  Mercies  Spiritual  and 
Temporal 

1  WHENE'ER  I  take  my  walks  abroad, 

How  many  poor  I  see  ? 
What  shall  I  render  to  my  God 
For  all  his  Gifts  to  me  ? 

2  Not  more  than  others  I  deserve, 

Yet  God  hatb  given  me  more  ; 
For  I  have  food  while  others  starve, 
Or  beg  from  door  to  door. 

3  How  many  children  in  the  street* 


12 

Half  naked  I  behold  ! 
While  I  am  cloth'd  from  head  to  feet, 
And  cover'd  from  the  cold. 

4  While  some  poor  wretches  scarce  can  tell 

Where  they  may  lay  their  head 
I  have  a  home  wherein  to  dwelJ, 
And  rest  upon  my  bed. 

5  While  others  early  learn  to  swear, 

And  curse,  and  Jie,  and  steal  ; 
Lord.  I  am  taught  thy  name  to  fear, 
And  do  thy  holy  will. 

6  Are  these  thy  favours  day  by  day 

To  me  a  bore  the  rest  ? 
Then  let  me  love  thee  more  than  they. 
And  try  to  serve  thee  best. 

6.  Praise. for  the  'Gospel 

1  LORD,  I  ascribe  it  to  thy  grace, 

And  not  to  chance  as  others  do  ; 
That  I  was  born  of  Christian  race, 
And  not  a  Heathen,  or  a  Jew. 

2  What  would  the  ancient  Jewish  kings. 

And  Jewish  prophets  once  have  giv'n, 
Coulu  they  have  beard  those  glorious  things, 
Which   Christ    revcalM  and  brought  from 
IJeav'n. 

3  How  glad  the  Heathens  would  have  been, 


\ 

That  worshipp'd  idols,  wood  and  stcrie, 
If  they  the  book  of  God  had  seen, 
Or  Jesus  and  his  gospel  known  t 

4  Then,  if  this  gospel  t  refuse, 

How  shall  I  e'er  lift  up  my  eyes  -\ 
For  all  the  Gentiles  and  the  Jews, 
Against  me  will  in  judgment  rise- 

7.  The  Excellency  of  the  Bible, 

1  GREAT  God,  with  wonder  and  with  praisei 

On  all  thy  works  I  look  ; 
But  still  thy  wisdom,  pow'r,  and  grace, 
Shine  brightest  in  thy  book. 

2  The  stars  that  in  their  courses  roll, 

Have  much  instruction  giv'n  ; 
But  thy  good  Word  informs  my  soul, 
How  I  may  climb  to  heav'n. 

3  The  fields  provide  me  food,  and  shew 

The  goodness  of  the  Lord  ; 
But  fruits  of  life  and  glory  grow, 
In  thy  most  holy  word, 

4  Here  are  my  choicest  treasures  hid. 

Here  my  best  comfort  lies  ; 
Here  my  desires  are  satisfied, 
And  hence  my  hopes  arise. 

5  Lord,  make  me  understand  thy  law 

Show  what  my  faults  have  been  ; 
B 


M 


1  \ 

And  from  the  gospel  let  me  draw, 
Pardon  for  all  my  sin. 

6  Here  would  I  learn  how  Christ  has  dy\\ 

To  sa\^e  my  soul  fro-  hell  ; 

Not  all  the  books  on  earth  beside, 

Such  heav'nly  wonders  tell. 

7  Then  let  me  love  my  bible  more, 

And  take  a  fresh  delight, 
By  day  to  read  those  wonders  o'er, 
And  meditate  by  night. 

8.  Heaven  ar$  Hell. 

1  THERE  is  beyond  the  sky; 

A  heav'n  of  joy  and  love  ; 
And  holy  children  when  they  dte, 
Go  to  that  world  above. 

2  There  is  a  dreadful  hell, 

And  everlasting  pains  ; 
There  sinners  must  with  devils  dwell 
In  darkness,  fire,  and  chains. 


o 


Can  such  a  wretch  as  I, 
Escape  this  cursed  end  ? 

And  may  I  hope  whene'er  I  die, 
I  shall  to  heav'n  ascend. 


4  Then  will  I  read  and  pray, 

While  I  have  life  and  breath  ; 


Lest  I  should  be  cut  off  to  days 
A<nd  sent  t'  eternal  death. 


v 


9.  Against    Quarrelling  and  Fighting 

1  LET  dogs  delight  to   bark    and  bite, 

For  God  hath  made  them  so  :  , 

Let  bears  and  lions  growl  and  fight, 
For  'tis  their  nature  too. 

2  But  children,  you  should  never  let 

Such  angry  passions  rise  ; 
Your  little  hands  were  never  ma3e. 
To  tear  each  other's  eyes, 

3  Let  love  through  all  your  actions  run^ 

And  all  your  words  be  mild  ; 

Live  like  the  blessed  virgin's  Son, 

That  sweet  and  lovely  child. 

4  His  soul  was  gentle  as  a  lamb, 

And  as  his  stature  grew, 
He  grew  ill  favor   both  with  man. 
And  God,  his  father,  too. 

5  Now  Lord  of  all,  he  reigns  above. 

And  from  his  heavenly  thr©ne, 
He  sees  what  children  dwell  in  love, 
And  marks  them  for  his  own, 


16 

10.  Against  scoffing  arid  Calling 
Names. 

1  OUR  tongues  were  made  to  bless  the  Lord, 

And  not  speak  ill  of  men  ; 
When  others  give  a  railing  word, 
We  must  not  rail  again. 

2  Cross  words  and  angry  names  require 

To  be  chastis'd  at  school  ; 

And  he's  in  danger  of  hell  fire 

That  calls  his  brother  fool. 

3  But  lips  that  dare  be  so  profane, 

To  mock  and  jeer,  and  scoff, 
At  holy  things  or  holy  men, 
The  Lord  shall  cut  them  off. 

4  When  children  in  their   wanton  playt 

Serv'd  old  Elisha  so  ; 
And  bid  the  prophet  go  his  way, 
"  Go  up,   thou  bald-head,  go." 

6  God  quickly  stopp?d  their  wicked  breath, 
And  sent  two  raging  bears, 
That  tore  them  limb  from  limb  to  death, 
With  blood  and  groans  and  tears. 

3  Great  God,  how  terrible  art  thou 
To  sinners  e'er  so  young  ! 
££rant  me  thy  grace  and  teach  me  how 
T$  tame  and  rule  my  tongue. 


17 

11.  Obedience  to  Parents.. 

1  LET  children  that  would  fear  the  Lord, 
Hear  what  their  teachers  say  ; 
With  rev'rence  meet  their  parent's  word, 
And  with  delight  obey. 

$  Have  you  not  heard  what  dreadful  plagues 
Are  threaten'd  by  the  Lord, 
To  him  that  breaks  his  father's  law, 
Or  mocks  his  mother's  word  ? 

3  What  heavy  guilt  upon  him  lies  ; 

How  cursed  is  his  name  I 
The  ravens  shall  pick  out  his  eyes, 
And  eagles  eat  the  same. 

4  But  those  that  worship  God,  and  give 

Their  parents  honor  due, 
Here  on  this  earth  they  long  may  live, 
And  live  hereafter  too. 

12.  Solemn  thoughts  of  God  and 
Death. 

1  THERE  is  a  God  that  reigns  above, 

Lord  of  the  heavens,  and  earth  and  seas, 
I  fear  his  wrath,  I  ask  and  love, 
And  with  my  lips  I  sing  his  praise, 

%  There  is  a  law  whiclj  he  has  writ, 
To  teach  us  all  what  we  must  do  ; 
a  A* 


r 


u 


31y  soul,   lo  his  commands  submit, 

For  they  are  holy  just  and  true. 

3  There  is  a  gospel  of  rich  grace. 

Whence  sinners   all  their  comfort  draw  , 
Lord  I  repent  and  seek  thy  face, 
For  I  have  often   broke  thy  law. 

4  There  is  an  hour  when  I  must  die, 

Nor  do  I  know  how  soon  'twill  come  ; 
A  thousand  children  young  as  I, 

Are  call'd  by  death  to  hear  their,  doonr 

5  Let  me  improve  the  hours  I  have. 

Before  the  dzy  of  grace  is  fled  ; 
There's  no  repentance  in  the  grave, 
No  pardons  offer'd  to  the  dead. 

3  Just  as  a  tree  cut  down  that  fell. 

To  North  or  Southward,  there  it  lies  : 
So  man  departs  to  heav'n  or  hell 
Fix'd  in  the  state  wherein  lie  dies. 

13.  Against  Idleness  and  Mischief . 

i    HOW  doth  the  little  busy  bee 
Improve  each  shining  hour,     * 
And  gather  honey  all  the  day 
From  ev'ry  op'ning  ilow'r. 

1  How  skilful! v  she  builds  her  cell  ! 
How  neat  she  spreads  the  uax 


19  X 

And  labors  hard  to  store  it  well 
With  the  sweet  food  she  makes. 

3  In  works  of  labor,  or  of  skijl, 

I  would  be  busy  too  • 
For  Satan  finds  some  mischief  still 
For  idJe  hands  to  do. 

4  In  bocks,  or  work,  or  healthful  pla)% 

Let  my  first  years  be  past  ; 
That  I  may  give  forev'ry  day 
Some  good  account  at  last. 

14.   The  advantages  of  Early  Religion, 

1  HAPPY  the  child  whose  youngest  years 

Receive  instructions  well  ! 
Who  hates  the  sinner's  path,  and  fears 
The  road  that  leads  to  hell. 

2  When    we  devote  our  youth  to  God. 

'Tis  pleasing  to  his  eyes  : 
A  flow'r  when  ofter'd  in  the  bud, 
Is  no  vain  sacrifice. 

3  'Tis  easier  work  if  we  begin 

To  fear  the  Lord  betimes  ; 
V/bile  sinners  that  grow  old  in  sin, 
Are  harden'd  in  their  crimes. 

4  'Twill  save  us  frooi  a  thousand  snare?.. 

To  mind  religion  young  ; 


20 

Grace  will  preserve  our  following  years 
And  make  our  virtue  strong. 

5  To  thee,  almighty  God,  to  thee, 

Our  childhood  we  resign  ; 
'Twill  please  us  to  look  back  and  see, 
That  our  whole  lives  are  thine. 

6  Let  the  sweet  work  of  pray'r  and  praise, 

Employ  my  youngest  breath  ; 
Thus  I'm  prepar'd  for  longer  days, 
Or  fit  for  early  death. 

15.  A  Morning  Song. 

1  MY  God,    who  makes  the  sun  to  know 

His  proper  hour  to  rise, 
And  to  give  light  tpall  below, 
Does  send  him  round  the  skies. 

2  When  from  the  chambers  of  the  east 

His  morning  rate  begins, 
He  never  tires,   nor  stops  to  rest 
But  round  the  world  he  shines. 

S  So,    like  the  sun,  would  I  fulfil 
^The  bus'ness  of  the  day  : 
Begin  my  works  by  times,   and  still 
March  on  my  heav'nly  way. 

4  Give  me,  O  Lord,  thy  early  grace, 
Nor  let  my  soul  complain, 
That  the  young  morning  of  my  days 
Has  all  been  spent  in  vain. 


21  V. 

16.   The  Child? s  Complaint. 

1  WHY  should  I  love  my  sport  so  well 

So  constant  at  my  play, 
And  loose  the  thoughs  of  heav'n  and  he!.. 
And  then  forget  to  pray  ? 

2  What  do  I  read  my  bible  for, 

But,    Lord,  to  learn  thy  will  : 
And  shall  I  daily  know  thee  more,. 
And  less  obey  thee  still, 

<3  How  senseless  is  my  heart  and  wild 
How  vain  are  all  my  thoughts  I 
Pity  the  weakness  of  a  child, 
And  pardon  all  my  faiilts. 

4  Make  me  thy  heav'nly  voice  to  bear* 
And  let  me  love  to  pray  ; 
Since  God  will  lend  a  gracious  ear^, 
To  what  a  child  can  say. 

17.  An  Evening  Song 

1  AND  now  another  day  is  gone, 

I'll  sing  my    Maker's  praise  : 
My  comforts  ev'ry  hour  make  known 
His  providence  and  grace. 

2  But  how  my  childhood  runs  to  waste 

My  sins  hew  great  Aeir  sum  1, 


Lord  !  e  pardon  for  the  past* 

And  strength  for  days  to  come. 

'  lay  my  body  down  to  sleeg  ; 

Let  angels  guard  my  h. 
And  through  the  hours  of  darkness  keep 

Their  watch  around  my  bed. 

4  With  cheerful  heart  I  close  my  eyes, 
Since  God  will  not  remove  ; 
And  in  the  morning  let  me  rise 
Rejoicing  in  his  love. 


1 8.  Against  Lying. 

1  O'TIS  a  lovely  thing  for  youth, 

To  walk  betimes  in  wisdom's  way , 
To  fear  a  lie,  to  speak  the  truth. 
That  we  may  trust  to  all  they  say. 

2  But  liars  we  ^an  never  trust, 

Tho'  they    should  speak    the  thing    that's 
true  ; 
For  he  that  does  one  fault  at  first, 
And  lies  to  hide  it  makes  it  two. 

3  Have  we  not  known,   nor  heard,  nor  read, 

How  God  abhors  deceit  and  wrong  ? 
How  Ananias  was  struck  dead, 

Caught  with    lie  upon  his  tongue  ? 

4  So  diil  his  wife  Sapphira  die, 

When  she  came  in  and  grew  so  bold, 


ri 


-As  to  confirm  that  wicked  lie, 

Which  just  before  her  husband  told; 

5  The  Lord  delights  in  tbem  that  speak 

The  words  of  truth  ;   but  evVv  liar 
Must  have  h;s  portion  in  the  lake, 

That  burns  with  brimstone  and  with  fire. 

6  Then  let  me  always  watch  my  lips, 

Lest  I  be  struck  to  death  and  hell" ; 
Since  God  a  book  of  reckoning  keeps, 
For  ev'ry  lie  that  children  tell. 

19.  Love  between  Brothers  and  Sisters, 

1  WHATEVER  brawls  disturb  the  street, 

There  should  be  peace  at  home  ; 
Where  sisters  dwell  and  brothers  meet, 
Quarrels  should  never  come. 

2  Birds  in  their  little  nest  agree  ; 

And  'tis  a  shameful  sight, 
When  children  of  one  family- 
Fall  out,  and  chide,  and  fight. 

3  Hard  names  at  first,  and  threat'ning -words*,-. 

That  are  but  noisy  breath, 

*  A  sea-furing  man  once  asked  a  gentleman  that 
he  was  travelling  with,  how  he  kept  himself  from  go- 
ing into  a  paisioa  ?  IJis  arrswe*  was,  'By  never  rais- 
ing my  voice  in  conversation  ;  and  speaking  proper- 
ly and  softly  to  my  companions,'"-  See  also  Proverbs 
xv.  1. 


M 

May  grow  to  clubs  and  naked  s words, 
To  murder  and  to  death. 

4  The  devil  tempts  one  mother's  soft 

To  rage  against  another  ; 
So  wicked  Cain  was  hurried  on 
Till  he  had  kill'd  his  brother. 

5  The  wise  will  letjheir  anger  cool? 

At  least  before  'tis  night  ; 
But  in  the  bosom  of  a  fool, 
It  burns  till  morning  light, 

8  Pardon,   O  Lord,  our  childish  rage, 
Our  little  brawls  remove  ; 
That,  as  we  grow  to  riper  age, 
Our  hearts  may  all  be  love. 

20.  Against  imde  in  Clothes. 

2   WHY  should  our  garments,  made  to  hide, 
Our  parent's  shame,   provoke  our  pride 
The  art  of  dress  did  ne'er  begin. 
Till  Eve  out  mother,  learnt  to  sin. 

2  When  first  she  put  the  cov'ring  on* 
Her  robe  of  innocence  was  gone  ; 
And  yet  her  children  vainly  boaai 
In  the  sad  marks  of  glory  lost. 

3  How  proud  we  are,  how  fond  to  she* 
Our  cloths,  and  call  them  rich  and  new  ; 


When  the  poor  sheep  and  silk-worm  wore* 
That  very  clothing  long  before. 

4  The  tulip  and  the  butterfly 
Appear  in  gayer  coats  than  I  ; 
Let  me  be  drest  fine  as  1  will, 

Flies,  worms,  and  flowers  exceed  me  still. 

5  Then  will  I  set  my  heart  to  find, 
Inward  adornings  of  the  mind  : 
Knowledge  and  virtue,  truth  and  grace. 
These  are  the  robes  of  richest  dress. 

6  No  more  shall  worms  with  me  Compaq 
This  is  the  raiment  angels  wear  ; 

The  Son  of  God,   when  here  below, 
Put  on  this  blest  apparel  too, 

1  It  never  fades,  it  ne'er  grows  old, 

Nor  fears  the  rain,    nor  moth,   nor  mould 
It  takes  no  spot,    but  still  refines. 
The  more  'tis  worn,  the  more  itshines, 

3  In  this  on  earth  would  I  appear, 

Then. go  to  heav'n-,  and  Wear  it  there  ; 

*  Though  some  of  our  predecessors  might  cover ■  them- 
selves too  profusely  with  silks  and  woolen  coats,  many  teu» 
der  constitutions  have  been  greatly  injured  in  the  present 
day,  since  it  has  become  a  custom  for  females  to  discard 
every  kind  of  woolen  dress. 

We  should  dres6  for  use  and  decency,  not  for  pride.  — 
Those  who  attempt  to  fellow  every  fashion}  are  merely 
'he  slaves  of  custom. 


26 

>d  will  approve  it  in  las  sight, 
'Tishis  own  work,  and  his  delight. 

21.  Against  Evil  Company, 

3  WHY  should  I  join  with  those  in  play, 
In  whom  I've  no  delight  ; 
Who  curse  and  swear,  but  never  pray  j 
Who  call  ill  names  and  fight  ? 

2  I  hate  to  hear  a  wanton  song, 

Their  words  offend  my  ears  ; 

I  should  not  dare  defile  my  tongue 

With  language  such   as  theirs. 

3  Away  from  fools  Til  turn  mine  eyes, 

Nor  with  the  scoffers  go  ; 
J  would  be  walking  with  the  wise, 
That  wiser  I  may  grow. 

4  From  one  rude  boy  that's  us'd  to  mock; 

They  learn  the  wicked  jest  ; 
One  sickly  sheep  infects  the  flopk, 
And  poisons  all  the  rest. 

5  My  God,  I  hate  to  walk  or  dwelJ 

With  sinful  children  here  ; 
:en  let  me  not  be  sent  to  hell, 
Where  none  but  siners  are. 


$7 
%%  Examples  of  Early  Piety* 

1  WHAT  blessM  examples  do  I  find,, 

Writ  in  the  word  of  truth, 
Of  children  that  began  to  mind 
Religion  in  their  youth. 

2  Jesus,  who  reigns  above  the  sky. 

And  keeps  the  world  in  awe  ; 
Was  once  a  child  as  young  as  I, 
Ano!  kept  his  father's  law. 

3  At  twelve  years  old  hetalk'd  with  raeBj 

(The  Jews  all  wond'ring  stand) 
Yet  he  obey'd  his  mother  then, 
And  came  at  her  command. 

4  Children  a  sweet  hosanna  sung, 

And  blest  their-  Saviour's  name, 
They  gave  him  honor  with  their  tongue., 
While  scribes  and  priests  plaspheme. 

B  Samuel  the  child  was  wean'd  and  brought 
To  wait  upon  the  Lord  ; 
Young  Timothy  betimes  was  taught 
To  know  his  holy  word. 

d  Then  why  should  I  so  long  delay,, 

What  others  learnt  so  soon  I 
i   I  would  n,ot  pass  another  day. 

Without  this  work  begun. 


28 
23.   The  Danger  of  Delay. 

1  WHY  should  I  say  'tis  yet  too  soon 

To  seek  for  heav'n  or  think  of  death, 
A  flow'r  may  fade  before  'tis  noon, 
And  I  this  day  may  lose  my  breath. 

2  If  this  rebellious  heart  of  mine, 

Despise  the  gracious  calls  of  heav'n, 
I  may  be  harden'd  in  my  sin, 

And  never  have  repentance  giv'o. 

3  What  if  the  Lord  grow  wroth  and  swear, 

While  I  refuse  to  read  and  pray, 
That  he'll  refuse  to  lend  an  ear,   " 
To  all  my  groans  another  day. 

4  What  if  his  dreadful  anger  burn, 

While  I  reject  his  offer'd  grace, 
And  all  his  love  to  fury  turn, 

And  strike  me  dead  upon  the  place  1 

{5  'Tis  dang'rous  to  provoke  our  God  ■! 

His  pow'r  and  veng'ance  none  C3n  tell, 
One  stroke  of  his  almighty  rod, 

Shall  send  young  sinners  quick  to  hell 

24.   Glory  to  the  Father ,  #*c.— 

IN  SHORT  METRE. 

IVE  to  the  Father  praise. 
Give  glory  to  the  son  : 


29 

And  to  the  Spirit  of  bis  grac$ 
Be  equal  honour  done. 

25.  The  Ten  Commandments. 

1  THOU  shalt  have  no  more  Gods  but  me 

2  Before  no  idol  bow  thy  knee. 

3  Take  not  the  name  of  God  in  vain, 

4  Nor  dare  the  Sabbath-day  profane. 

5  Give  both  thy  parents  honour  due. 

6  Take  heed  that  thou  no  murder  do. 

7  Abstain  from  words  and  deeds  unclean. 
3  Nor  steal,  tho'  thou  art  poor  and  mean. 
9  Nor  make  wilful  lie,  nor  love  it. 

10  What  is  thy  neighbour's  dare  not  covet. 

26.  Duty  to  God  and  our  Neighbour, 

1  LOVE  God  with  all  your  soul  and   strength, 

With  all  your  heart  and  mind  ; 
And  love  your  neighbour  as  yourself, 
Be  faithful,  just  and  kind. 

2  Deal  with  another,  as  you'd  have 

Another  deal  with  you  ; 
What  your'e  unwilling  to  receive, 
Be  sure  you  never  do. 

27.  The  Hosanna,  or  Salvation  ascribed 
to  Christ. — Long  Metre. 

I  HOSANNA  to  king  David's  son, 

Q2 


30 

Who  reigns  on  a  superior  throne  ; 
We  bless  the  prince  of  heav'nly  birth 
Who  brings  saivation  down  on  earth. 

2  Let  ev'ry  nation,  ev'ry  age, 
In  this  delightful  work  engage  ; 
Old  men  and  babes  in  Sion  sing 
The  growing  glories  of  her  King  J 


n_ 


MORAL  SONGS,  &c, 


1.  A  Cradle  Hymn. 

1  HUSH  my  dear,  lie  still  and  slumber, 

Holy  Angels  guard  thy  bed  ! 
Heavenly  blessings  without  number, 
Gently  falling  on  tby  head. 

2  Sleep  my  babe  ;  thy  food  and  raiment. 

House  and  home,  thy  friends  provide 
All  without  thy  care  or  payment ; 
All  thy  wants  are  well  supplied. 


31 

3  How  much  better  thou'rt  attended 

Than  the  Son  of  God  could  be, 

When  from  heaven  he  descended 

And  became  a  child  like  thee  ! 

4  Soft  and  easy  is  thy  cradle  : 

Coarse  and  hard  thy  Saviour  lay  - 
When  his  birth-place  was  a  stable. 
And  his  softest  bed  was  hay, 

5  Blessed  babe  !  what  glorious  feature's* 

Spotless  fair,  divinely  bright  I 
Must  he  dwell  with  brutal  creatures  ? 
How  could  angels  bear  the  sight  ? 

6  Was  there  nothing  but  a  manner 

Cursed  sinners  could  afford 
To  receive  the  heavenly  stranger  ? 
Did  they  thus  affront  the  Lord  ? 

7  Soft  my  child  !  I  did  not  chide  thee 

Tho'  my  song  might  sound  too  hard, 
5Tis  thy  mother*  sits  beside  thee    . 
And  her  arm  shall  be  thy  guard. 

3  Yet,  to  read  the  shameful  story 

How  the  Jews  abus'd  their  king  '. 
How  they  served  the  Lord  of  Glory 
Makes  me  angry  while  I  sing. 

?  ITere  you  may  use  the  words}  brother,  fciste 


32 

9  See  the  kinder  shepherds  round  him, 

Telling  wonders  from  the  sky  ! 
Where  they   sought  him,  there  they  fousd 
him, 
With  his  Virgin  Mother  by. 

10  See  the  lovely  babe  a  dressing ; 

Lovely  infant  how  he  smil'd  ! 
When  he  wept,  the  Mother's  blessing 
Sooth'd  and  hush'd  the  holy  child, 

11  Lo!  he  slumbers  in  his  manger, 

Where  the  horned  oxen  fed  ! 
Peace,  my  darling,  here's  no  danger, 
Here's  no  ox  a-nearthy  bed. 

22  'Twas  to  save  thee,  child  I  from  dying, 
Save  my  dear  from  burning  flame, 
Bitter  groans  and  endless  crying, 
That  thy  blest  Redeemer  came. 

13  May'st  thou  liye  to  know  and  fear  him, 

Trust  and  love  him  all  thy  days  ; 
Then  go  dwell  for  ever  near  him, 
See  his  face,  and  sing  bis  praise. 

14  I  could  give  thee  thousand  kisses, 

Hoping  what  I  most  desire  ; 
Not  a  mother's  fondest  wishes 
Can  to  greater  joy  aspire* 


t 


2.  The  Ant  or  Emmet 

1  THESE  emmets,  how  little  they  ate  in  our  eyes. I 
We  tread  them  to  dust,  and  a  troop  of  them  dies, 

Without  our  regard  or  concern : 
Yet  as  wise  as  we  are,  if  we  went  to  their  schooj, 
There's  many  a  sluggard,  and  many  a  fool, 

Some  lessons  of  wisdom  might  learn. 

2  They  donH  wear  their  time  out  in  sleeping  *r  play, 
But  gather  up  corn, in  a  sun-shiny  day, 

And  for  winter  they  lay  up  their  stores  : 
They  manage  their  work  in  such  regular  forms, 
One  would  think  they  foresaw  all  the  frosts  and  the 
storms ; 

And  so  brought  their  food  within  doora. 

3  But  I  have  less  sense  than  a  poor  creeping  ant, 
If  I  take  not  due  .care  for  the  things  I  shall  want, 

Nor  provide  against  dangers  in  time  : 
When  death  or  old  age  shall  stare  in  ray  face, 
What  a  wretch  shall  I  be  at  the  end  of  my  days, 

If  I  trifle  away  all  their  prime  1 

4  Now,  now,  while  my  strength  and  my  youth  are  ia 

bloom, 
Let  me  think  what  will  serve  me  when  sickness  shall 
come, 
And  pray  that  my  sins  be  forgiven  : 
iiet  me  read  in  good  books,  and  believe  and  obey, 
That,  when  death  turns  me  out  of  this  cottage  of  clay, 
I  may  dwell  in  a  palace  in  Heav'n. 

3.   The  Rose. 

ft  HOW  fair  is  the  jose  i  what  a  beautiful  flow'r  ! 
^n  summer  10  fragrant  and  gay ! 


3i 

But  the  leaves  are  beginning  to  fade  in  an  hour, 
And  they  wither  and  die  in  a  day. 

2  Yet  the  rose  has  one  pow'rful  virtue  to  boast, 

Above  all  the  flow'rs  of  the  field  : 
When  its  leaves  are  all  dead,  and  fine  colours  Ipst, 
Still  how  sweet  a  perfume  it  will  yield  I 

3  So  frail  i9  the  youth  and  the  beauty  of  men, 

Tho'  they  bloom  and  look  gay  like  the  rose  ; 
For  all  our  fond  care  to  preserve  them  is  vain  ; 
Time  kills  them  as  fast  as  he  goes. 

4  Then  I'll  not  be  proud  of  my  youth  or  my  beauty. 

Since  both  of  them  wither  and  fade  : 
But  gain  a  good  name  by  performing  my  duty  : 
This  will  scent  like  a  rose,  when  Pm  dead. 

4.   On  Learning  to  Read. 

1  THE  praises  of  my  tongue, 

I  offer  to  the  Lord, 
That  I  was  taught  and  learnt  so  young 
To  read  his  holy  word. 

2  That  I  am  brought  to  know 

The  danger  I  was  in  ; 
By  nature  and  by  practice  too> 
A  wretched  slave  to  sin. 

3  That  I  am  led  to  see 

I  can  do  nothing  well ; 
And  whither  shall  a  sinner  flee> 
To  save  himself  from  hell  I 


35' 

4  Dear  Lord  this  book  of  thine 

Informs  me  where  to  go, 
For  grace  to  pardon  all  my  sin, 
And  make  me  holy  too. 

5  Here  can  I  read  and  learn 

How  Christ  the  son  of  God, 
Has  undertook  our  great  concern  ; 
Our  ransom  cost  his  blood. 

5.  Good  Resolutions, 

1  THO'  I  am  now  in  younger  days, 

Nor  can  I  tell  what  shall  befall  me  ; 
I'll  prepare  for  ev'ry  place, 

Where  my  growing  age  shall  call  me* 

2  Should  I  e'er  be  rich  or  great, 

Others  shall  partake  my  fulness  : 
-  I'll  supply  the  poor  with  meat, 
Never  shewing  scorn  or  rudeness. 

3  Where  I  see  the  blind  or  lame, 

Deaf  or  dumb,  I'll  kindly  treat  them 
I  deserve   to  feel  the  same, 

If  I  mock,  or  hurt,  or  cheat  them. 

4  If  I  meet  with  railing  tongues, 

Why  should  1  return  them  railing. 
Since  I  best  revenge  my  wrongs, 
By  my  patience  never  failing  ? 

o  When  I  hear  them  telling  lies, 


3C 

Talking  foolish,  cursing,  swearin*, 
First  I'll  try  to  make  them  wise, 
Or  I'll  soon  go  out  of  bearing. 

6  What  tho'  I  be  low  and  mean, 
I'll  engage  the  rich  to  love  me, 
While  I'm  modest  neat  and  clean, 
And  submit  when  they  reprove  me 

i  If  I  should  Be  poor  and  sick, 

I  shall  meet,  I  hope,  with  pity, 
Since  I  love  to  help  the  weak, 

Tho'  they're  neither  fair  nor  witty 

8  I'll  not  willingly  offend, 

Nor  be  easily  offended, 
What's  amiss  I'll  strive  temend, 
And  endure  what  can't  be  mended 

9  May  I  be  so  watchful  still 

O'er  my  humours  and  my  passion, 
As  to  speak  and  do  no  ill, 

Tho'  it  should  be  all  the  fashion. 

10  Wicked  fashions  lead  to  hell, 

Ne'er  may  I  be  found  comply  irg; 
But  in  life  behave  so  well, 
Not  to  be  afraid  of  dying. 

6.   The  Golden  Rule. 

BE  to  others  kind  and  true, 
As  you'd  have  others  be  to  you, 
And  neither  do  nor  say  to  men, 
Whate'er  you  would  not  take  ag.v 


DR.   WATTS' 

PLAIN  AND  EASY 

CATECHISMS  FOR  CHILDREN. 

FIRST  CATECHISM. 


Of  the  Principles  of  Religion.  . 

Quest.  %_^an  you  tell  me,  child \  who  made  you  1 

Ans.  The  Great  God,  who  made  Heaven  and 
Earth. 

Q,  What  doth  God  do  for fyow  ? 

A.  He  keeps  me  from  -nn  by  night  and  by 
day,   and  is  always  doing  me  good. 

Q,.  And  what  must  you  do  for  this  great  Godt 
who  is  so  good  to  you  1 

A.  I  must  learn  to  know  him  first,  and  then  I 
must  do  every  thing  to  please  him. 

Q,.  Where  doth  God  teach  us  to  know  and  to 
please  him. 

A.  In  his  holy  word,  which  is  contained  in 
the  Bible. 

Q,.  Have  you  learned  to  know  who  God  is  ? 

A.  "God  is  a  Spirit ;  and  though  we  cannot  see 
D 


jr 

him,  }^et  he  sees  and  knows  all  things,  and  he 
can  do  all  things. 

Q.   What  must  you  do  to  please  God  ? 

A.  1  must  do  my  duty  both  toward  God  and 
Man. 

Q,.   What  is  your  duty  to  God  ? 

A.  My  duty  to  'God  is  to  fear  and  honor  him, 
to  love  and  serve  him,  to  pray  to  him,  and  to 
praise  him. 

Q.   What  is  your  duty  to  man  ? 

A.  My  duty  to  Man  is  to  obey  my  parents,  to 
speak  the  truth  always,  and  to  be  honest  and 
kind  to  all. 

Q.  What  good  do  you  hope  for  by  seeking  to 
please  God  ? 

A.   Then  I  shall  be  a  Child  of  God,  and  have 
God  for  my  Father  and  Friend  for  ever. 

Q,.  And  wfutt  if  you  do  not  fear  God,,  nor  love 
him,  nor  seek  to  please  him  ? 

A.  Then  I  shall  |»e  a   wicked  child,  and  the 
great  God  will  be  ^g  angry    with  me. 
>    Q,    Why  are  you  t~raid  of  God's  anger  ? 

A*  Because  he  can  kill  my  body,  and  make 
my  soul  miserable  after  my  body  is  dead. 

Q.  But  have  you  never  done  any  thing  to  make 
God  angry  with  you  already  ? 

A.  Yes  ;  I  fear  I  hare  too  often  sinned  against 
God,  and  deserved  his  anger. 

Q.  What  do  you  mean  by  sinning  against 
God. 

A.  To  sin  against   God  is  to  do  any   thing, 


'be  forbids  me,  or  not  to  do  what  he  commands 
me. 

Q,.  And  what  must  you  do  to  be  saved  from  the 
anger  of  God  which  your  sins  have  deserved  ? 

A.  I  must  be  sorry  for  my  sins,  I  must.pray  to 
God  to  forgive  me  what  is  .past,  and  serve  him 
t>etter  for  time  to  come. 

Q,.   Will  God  forgive  you  if  you  pray  for  it  ? 

A.  I  hope  he  will  forgive  me  if  I  trust  in  his 
mercy  for  the  sake  of  what  Jesus  Christ  has  done, 
and  what  he  has  suffered. 

Q.  Do  you  know  who  Jesus  Christ  is  ? 

A.  He  is  God's  own  Son,  who  came  from 
Heaven  to  save  us  from  our  sins,  and  from  God's 
anger. 

Q,.  What  has  Christ  done  towards  the  saving  of 
Men  ? 

A.  He  obeyed  the  law  of  God  himself,  and 
has  taught  us  to  obey  it  also. 

Q.  And  what  has  Christ  suffered  in  order  to 
save  Men  ? 

A.  He  died  for  sinners,  who  had  broken 
the  law  of  God,  and  had  deserved  to  die  them- 
selves. 

Q,.    Where  is  Jesus  Christ  now  ? 

A.  He  is  alive  again,  and  gone  to  Heaven,  to 
provide  a  place  there  for  all  that  serve  God  and 
love  his  Son  Jesus. 

Q,.  Can  you  of  yourself  love  and  serve  God 
and  Christ  ? 

A.  No,  1  cannot  do  it  of  myself,  but  God  will 
help  me  by  his  own  spirit,  if  I  ask  him  for  it« 


Q,.    Will  Jesus  Christ  eper  come  again  ?, 

A.  Christ  will  come  again,  and  call  me  and 
all  the  world  to  account  for  what  wre  have 
done. 

Q.  For  what  purpose  is  this  account  to  be 
given  ?  * 

A.  That  the  Children  of  God,  as  well  as  the 
wicked,  may  all  receive  according  to  their 
works. 

Q,.  What  must  become  of  you,  if  you  are  wick- 
ed? 

A.  If  I  am  wicked,'  I  shall  be  sent  down  to 
everlasting  fire  in  Hell,  among  wicked  and  mis- 
erable creatures. 

Q,  And  whither  shall  you  go  if  you  are  a  Child 
of  God  ? 

A.  If  I  am  a  cWld  of  God,  I  shall  be  taken  up 
to  Heaven,  and  dwell  there  will*  God  and  Christ 
for  ever.     Amen, 


SECOND  CATECHISM. 
Of  the  Principles  of  Religion. 


Quest.  mJear  child  do  you  know  wliat  you 
are  ? 

Ans.  lam  a'creature  of  God,  for  he  made 
tne,  both  body  and  soul. 

Q.  How   do  you  know  you  have  a  soul  (• 


A.  Because  I  find  something  within  me  that 
pan  think  and  know,  can  wish  and  desire, 
can  rejoice  and  be  sorry,  which  my  body  can->* 
pot  do. 

Q,.  Wherein  doth  your  soul  differ  further  from 
your  body  ? 

A.  My  body  is  made  of  flesh  and  blood,  and 
it  will  die  :  but  my  soul  is  a  spirit,  and  it  will 
live  after  my  body  is  dead. 

%  For  what  purpose  did  God  make  you  such 
a  creature,    with  a  body  and  a  soul  ? 

A.  To  know  him  and  serve  him  here  on, 
earth,  that  I  may  dwell  with  him  and  be  happy 
hereafter  in  Heaven, 

Q,.  How  must  you  learn  to  know  God  and  to 
serve  him  ? 

A.  By  the  holy  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and 
New  Testament,    which  are  the  word   of  God. 

Q,.  What  do  the  Scriptures  teach  you  of  the 
knowledge  of  God  ? 

A.  The  Scriptures  teach  me  what  God  is  in 
himself,  and  what  he  is  in  relation  to  us  who 
are  his  creatures. 

Q.  Who  is  God,  considered  in  himself,  or  in 
his  own  nature  ? 

A.  God  in  his  own  nature  is  a  spirit,  every 
where  present,  without  beginning  and  without 
end,  most  wise  and  powerful,  most  holy  and 
merciful,"  most  just  and  true; 

Q.  What  is  God  in  relation  to  us  who  are  hn 
creatures  '?■ 


6 

A.  As  the  great  God  is  our  maker,  who  gave 
vis  our  bfting,  so  he  continually  preserves  us,  and 
does  us  good  :  He  is  our  Lord  and  Ruler  now, 
and  he  will  be  our  Judge  at  last. 

Q.  And  how  do  the  Scriptures  teach  you  to 
serve  God  ? 

A.  I  must  serve  God,  by  keeping  all  his  com- 
mandments, that  is,  by  doing  every  thing  that 
he  requires  of  me,  and  avoiding  every  thing  that 
he  forbids  me. 

Q,,  What  commandments  has  God  given  to 
Tnen  ? 

A.  He  gave  the  law  of  ten  commandments  to 
the  Jews  in  the  Old  Testament,  and  they  are 
summed  up  in  two  commandments  for  us  in  the 
New  Testament. 

Q,.  Repca  i  th  e  ten  commandments  of  God,  which 
he  gave  in  the  Old  Testament — What  is  the  first 
commandment  ? 

A.  The  first  commandment  is,  Thou  sbalt 
ta ve  no  other   Gods    before  me. 

Q.    What  is  the  second  commandment  ? 

A.  The  second  commandment  is,  Thou  shalt 
not  make  unto  thee  any  graven  image,  or  anj' 
likeness  of  any  thing  that  is  in  heaven  above, 
or  that  is  in  the  earth  beneath,  or  that  is  in  the 
water  "under  the  earth.  Thou  shalt  not  bow 
down  thyself  to  them,  nor  serve  them,  for  I  the 
Lord  thy  God  am  a. jealous  God  visiting  the  ini- 
quities of  the  fathers  upon  the  children  unto  the 
third  and  fourth  generation  of  them  that  hate 
me  ;    and   shewing  mercies  unto   thousands  of 


7 

ifaem   that  love  me  and    keep  my  command- 
ments ? 

Q.   What  is  the  third  commandment  ? 

A.  The  third  commandment  is,  Thou  shalt 
not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  thy  God  in  vain, 
for  the  Lord  will  not  bold  him  guiltless  that  ta- 
keth  his  name  in   vain. 

Q,.   What  is  the  fourth  commandment  ? 

A.  The  fourth  commandment  is,  Remember 
ihe  Sabbath  day,  to  keep  it  holy.  Six  days 
shalt  thou  labor,  and  do  all  thy  work  ;  but  the 
seventh  day  is  the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord  thy  God, 
in  it  thou  shalt  not  do  any  work,  tbou,  nor  thy 
son,  nor  thy  daughter,  nor  thy  man  servant,  nor 
thy  maid  servant,  nor  thy  cattle,  nor  the  stran- 
ger thatis  within  thy  gates  ;  for  in  six.days  the 
Lord  made  heaven  and  earth,  the  sea,  and  all 
that  in  them  is,  and  rested  the  seventh  day 
wherefore  the  Lord  blessed  the  sabbath  day,  and 
hallowed  it. 

Q.    What  is  thejtfth  commandment  ? 

A.  The  fifth  commandment  is,  Honour  thy 
father  and  thy  mother  that  thy  days  may  be  long 
upon'the  land  which  the  Lord  thy  God  giveth 
thee. 

Q.   What  is  the   sixth  commandment  ? 

A.  The  sixth  commandment  is i,  Thou  shalt 
not  kill. 

Q.   What  is  the  seventh    commandment  ? 

A.  The  seventh  commandment  is,  Thou  shalt 
not  commit  adultery. 

Q,  What  is  the  eight   commandment  ? 


s 

A.  The  eight  commandment  is,  Thou  shalt 
not  steal. 

Q.   What  is  the  ninth    commandment  ? 

A.  The  ninth  commandment  is,  Thou  shalt 
Hot  bear  false  witness  against    thy  neighbor. 

Q.    11  hat  is  the   tenth  commandment? 

A.  The  tenth  commandment  is,  Thou  shalt 
Hot  covet  thy  neighbor's  house  ;  thou  shalt  not 
covet  thy  neighbor's  wife,  nor  his  man  servant, 
nor  his  maid  servant,  nor  his  ox,  nor  his  ass,  nor 
any  thing  that  7s  thy  neighbor's. 

Q.  What  is  the  sum  of  the  ten  commandments 
phich  is  given  us  in  the  New  Testament. 

A.  The  sum  of  the  ten  commandments  is, 
thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy 
heart,  and  thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as 
thyself. 

Q,.  What  do  you  mean  by  loving  God  with  all 
your  heart? 

A.  To  love  God  with  all  my  heart,  is  to  have 
thy  highest  and  best  thoughts  of  him,  to  desire  his 
favor  above  all  things,  and  delight  to  please  him 
always. 

(4.«  How  must  you  shew  your  love  to  God  ? 

A.  By  paying  him  constantly  the  worship  that 
he  requires  of  me — by  doing  heartily  whatsoev- 
er else  he  commands  me — by  bearing  patiently 
Wha!.he  suffers  to  befal  me. 

Q.    l\  hat  worship  doth  God  require  of  you  ? 

A,  I  must  hearken  diligently  to  his  holy  word, 
and  praise  him  for  his  greatness  and  goodness  : 
I  must  pray  to  him   daily  for  what  mercies 


9 

I  want,  and    give    hitn  thanks  for    what  I  re- 
ceive. 

Q.  And  what  do  you  mean  by  loving  your 
neighbor  as  yourself? 

A.  To  love  my  neighbor  as  myself,  is  tc 
do  to  all  other  persons  as  [  could  reasonably 
desire  them  to  do  to  me,  if  I  were  in  their 
place. 

Q,.  How  must  you  shew  yo\ir  love  to  your 
neighbor  ? 

A.  By  honoring  and  obeying  those  that  are 
get  over  me  ;  by  speaking  the  truth  and  deal- 
ing honestly  with  all  who  are  about  me  ;  by 
wishing  well  and  doing  good  to  all  mankind, 
whether  they  be  friends,  strangers,  or  ene- 
mies. 

Q,.  You  have  told  me  the  duties  you  must 
do  ;  can  you  tell  mt  also  the  sins  you  must 
avoid  ? 

A.  I  must  avoid  all  the  sins  of  the  heart, 
the  sins  of  the  tongue,  and  the  sinful  actions  of 
life. 

Q.   What  are  the  sins  of  the  heart  ? 

A.  The  sins  of  the  heart  are  these,  a  neglect 
of  God,  pride  and  stubborness,  malice  and 
envy,  with  all  other  evil  thoughts  and  unruly- 
passions. 

Q,.   What  are  the  chief  sins  of  the  tongue? 

A.  The  chief  sins  of  the  tongue,  are  svvearings 
cursing,  abusing  the  name  of  God  or  any  thing 
that  is  ho'y,  scoffing  and  calling  ill  name.1?,  lyimj 
ajid  filthy  speaking. 


10 

Q.  What  are  those  sinful  actions  that  you  must 
avoid  ? 

A.  Sinful  actions  are  such  as  these,  glut- 
tony, drunkness,  and  quarrelling,  wanton  car- 
riage and  misspending  of  time,  especially  the 
Lord's  Day,  doing  dishonor  to  God  or  injury  to 
man. 

Q.  Have  you  never  broke  the  commands  of  God, 
and  sinned  against  him  ? 

A.  My  own  heart  and  conscience  tell  me 
that  I  have  broke  God's  holy  commandments, 
and  sinned  against  him  both  in  thought  word 
and  deed. 

Q,.  How  do  you  know  that  you  have  sinned 
in  thought  word,  and  deed,  against  the  blessed 
God? 

A.  I  have  let  evil  thoughts  run  too  much 
in  my  mind,  and  spoken  too  many  evil  words, 
I  have  too  often  done  such  deeds  as  are  evil  and 
r.eglected  what  is  good. 

Q.  Whence  comes  it  to  pass  that  you  have 
been  such  a  sinner  ? 

A.  I  was  born  into  the  world  with  inclin- 
ations to  that  which  is  evil,  and  I  have  too 
much    followed  these  inclinations    all    my  life. 

Q.  How  came  you  to  be  born  with  such  an 
inclination  to  evil  ? 

A.  All  mankind  are  born  in  sin  because  they 
come  from  Adam,  the  first  man  who  sinned 
against  God. 

Q,  But  why  did  you  follow  these  evil  inclin 


n 

is  ?  was  it  not  your  duty  to  resist  ilierm-, 
when  you  knew  they  were  evil  ? 

A.  I  ought  to  res'ist  every  sinful  inclination, 
and  therefore  I  have  no  sufficient  excuse  for  my- 
self before  the  great  God. 

Q.  What  do  you  deserve  because  of  your 
sins  ? 

A.  My  sins  have  deserved  the  wrath  and 
curse  of  the  Almighty  God  who  made  me. 

Q.  Is  the  wrath  of  God  so  terrible  that  you 
cannot  bear  it  ?  , 

A.  The  wrath  of  God  is  terrible  indeed,  for 
he  can  make  sinners  suffer  all  the  miseries  of  this 
life,  the  pains  of  death,  and  the  torments  of  hell 
for  ever. 

Q.  How  do  you  hope  to  escape  Godrs 
wrath  ? 

A.  God  is  merciful,  and  has  sent  Jesus 
Christ  into  this  world,-  to  become  the  Sav- 
iour of  sinful  creatures,  as  the  Gospel  teaches 
us. 

Q.    What  is  the  Gospel? 

A.  The  Gospel  is  the  glad  tidings  of  the  way 
of  salvation  by  Jesus  Christ,  which  was  foretold 
in  the  Old  Testament,  but  is  plainly  revealed  in 
the  New. 

Q.   Who  is  Jesus  Christ  ? 

A.  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Son  of  God,  who  was 
with  God  before  the  world  was  made,  but  he 
became  the  son  of  man,  and  dwelt  with  mea- 
about  eighteen  hundred  years   ago. 


Q.  But  is  not  Jesus  Christ,  God  as  well  as 
'nan  ? 

A.  Though  he  be  a  man  yet  he  is  God  also  ; 
for  he  is  a  glorious  person,  in  whom  God  and 
man  are  joined  together,  and  his  name  is  Imman- 
uel,  or,  God  with  us. 

Q.  What  did  Jesus  Christ  do  on  earth  ic 
save  sinners  ? 

A.  He  made  known  to  men  the  will  of 
God  by  his  preaching  ;  he  set  them  a  pat- 
tern of  holiness  by  his  own  practice  ;  he 
obtained  pardon  of  sin  and  everlasting  life 
for  them,    by  his  obedience    unto  death. 

Q.  How  could  Christ  obtain  pardon  and 
life  for  us,  by  his  doing  or  suffering, 

A.  Our  sins  had    deserved  death,  but  Christ* 
'was  the  Son  of   God,    and  perfectly  righteous, 
and    God    appointed    him    to   suffer   death,    to 
take  away   our   sins,   and    to  bring  us   into  his 
favor. 

Q.  Is  Jesus  Christ  now  among   the  dead  ? 

A,  No  :  he  rose  from  the  dead  on  the  third 
^ay,  and  afterward  went  up  to  heaven  to  dwell 
at  the  right  hand  of  God. 

Q.    What  is   Christ  now  doing  in   heaven  ? 

A.  He  pleads  with  God  his  Father  to  bestow 
mercy  on  men,  and  he  rules  over  all  things  for 
the  good  of  his  people. 

Q.  What  must  you  do  to  become  one  of  his 
people  and  to  partake  of  this  mercy  ? 

A.  I  must  repent  of  my  sins,  and  confess  them 


13 

before  God,  and  ask  pardon  for  tliein  ;  I  must 
have  faith  in  Christ  as  my  Saviour,  and  obey 
him  as  my  Lord    and  ruler. 

Q.    What  is  it  to  repent  of  sin  ? 

A.  To  repent  of  my  sins,  is  to  be  sorry  at  my 
"heart  that  I  have  offended  God,  to  bate  every 
thing  that  displeases  him,  and  to  take  heed  that  I 
offend  him  no  more. 

Q.  What  is  it  to  have  faith  in  Christ  as  your 
Saviour  ? 

A.  To  have  faith  in  Christ  as  my  Saviour, 
is  to  believe  that  Christ  is  the  saviour  of 
sinners,  and  to  give  myself  up  to  him.  and 
trust  in  him,  that  he  may  save  me  in  his  own 
rvay. 

Q.  What  reason  have  you  to  hope  that  you 
shall  then  be  delivered  from  the  anger  of 
God? 

A.  If  we  repent  of  sin  and  trust  in  Christ, 
God  hath  told  us  in  his  word,  that  he  will  for- 
give our  sins  and  save  our  souls. 

Q.  But  is  not  your  heart  itself  sinful,  and 
haveyoupower  of  yourself,  to  repent  of  sin  and 
to  trust  in  Christ,  and  obey  him  ? 

A.  We  have  sinful  hearts  and  cannot  do 
these  duties  of  ourselves,  but  God  has  prom- 
ised his  Holy  Spirit  if  we  pray  for  it,  to  renew 
our  hearts  to  holiness,  and  help  us  to  do  his 
ivill. 

Q.  Hoza  must  you  offer  up  your  prayer,  so 


F 


1% 

ts  to  bz  accepted  of  God,  and  obtain  his  Hoi  J 
Spirit,  or  any   blessing  from  him  ? 

A.  Id  all  our  prayers  and  all  our  serviV 
ces,  we  must  seek  for  acceptance  only  froru- 
the  mercy  of  God  and  for  the  sake  of  Christ  ; 
for  we  have  sinned  and  deserve  no  good" 
thing. 

Q.  Hath  God  provided  any  other  mean'i 
for  our  help  in  the  way  to  heaven  ? 

A.  God  hath  given  his  holy  word  both  to  Jew* 
and  Christians,  he  has  sent  his  ministers  to  help 
us  to  understand  his  word,  and  appointed 
some  special  signs  and  tokens  of  his  mercy  for 
our  use. 

Q.    What  are  the    special  signs  and  tok 
which  God  hath  appointed  to  shc7v  forth    his 
•mercy  among  Christians  ? 

A.  There  are  two  signs  or  tokens,  which  are 
commonly  called  sacraments  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment, and  these  are  Baptism  and  the  Lord's 
Supper.   ' 

Q.    What  is  Baptism  ? 

A.  It  is  a  washing  with  water,  in  the  name  of 
the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Iioiy  Spirit. 

Q,.    What  is  meant  by  this  washing  ? 

A*  It  signifies  our  being  cleansed  from  sin,  and 
our  becoming  new  creatures  and  the  disci- 
ples of  Christ. 

Q.  Why  must  -we  be  Baptized  in  the  ?iame  of 
the  Father  ? 

A.  Because   it  was  God,   the  Father  of  our 


15 

Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  appointed  this  salvation, 
and  he  is  our  father  also,  if  we  are  true  Chris- 
tians. 

Q.  Why  must  zoe  be  Baptized  in  the  name 
of  the  Son  of  God  ? 

A.  Because  this  salvation  was  preached  by 
the  Son  of  God  as  our  great  Prophet,  he  procur- 
ed it  for  us  as  our  High  Priest,  and  he  bestows 
it  on  us  as  our  Lord  and  King. 

Q.  Why  must  it  be  done  also  in  the  name 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  ? 

A.  Because  the  wondrous  works  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  bore  witness  to  this  salvation  heretofore, 
and  it  is  this  Holy  Spirit  enables  us  to  obey  the 
Gospel  now,  and  to  hope  and  wait  for  this  sal- 
vation. 

Q.  What  doth  this  Baptism  in  the  name  of 
the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit,  oblige  you 
to  do? 

A.  If  I  am  baptized,  I  am  given  up  to  the  Fa- 
ther, the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  I  may 
live  as  a  new  creature  and  a  Christian  ;  and  hav- 
ing been  once  washed,  I  must  not  defile  myself 
a^ain  with  sin. 

Q.    What  is  the  Lord? s  Supper  ? 

A.  It  is  the  eating  of  bread  and  drinking  of 
wine,  \\\  remembrance  cf  the  death  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 

Q.    What  doth  bread  signify  ? 

A.  The  bread  when  it  is  broken,  signifies  tjie 


16 

body  of  Christ,  which  was  wounded  or  broke* 
on  the  cross  for  us. 

Q.   What  doth  wine  signify? 

A.  The  wine  poured  out  into  the  cup,  signi- 
fies the  blood  of  Christ,  which  was  poured  out 
iji  his  death  to  take  away  our  sins. 

Q.  Why  must  the  bread  be  eaten  and  iht 
•wine  be  drank  ? 

A.  To  signify  our  partaking  of  the  blessings 
which  Christ  hath  obtained  for  us  by  his  death. 

Q.    What  doth  the  Lord's  Supper  oblige  us 

to? 

A.  Those  who  partake  of  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per, should  thankfully  remember  the  love  of 
Christ  who  died  for  them,  and  they  should 
love  and  serve  him  to  the  end  of  their  lives, 

Q.  When  you  have  done  the  will  of  God, 
and  served  Christ  to  the  end  of  your  life,  what 
are  your  hopes  after  death  ? 

A.  When  my  body  dies,  and  my  soul  goes  in- 
to the  world  of  spirits,  I  hope  it  will  dwell  with 
God  and  Christ,   and  be  happy. 

Q.  And  do  you  not  expect  some  greater  hap* 

piness  aftcrxcard  ? 

A.  Yes;  I  hope  for  complete  happiness 
when  my  body  shall  rise  again,  and  be  joined 
-to  my  spirit  at  the  day  of  judgement. 

Q.  But  let  us  hear  first  zohat  is  this  world 
of  spirits  you  speak  of  ichithcr  the  soul   goes 

at  death  ? 
A>  It  is  a  very  large  world,  though  it  is  out  ol 


17 

sight,  ifi  which  there  are. different  dwellings,  for 
angels  and'devjjs,  and  lor  the  souls  of  men  both 
jood  and  had. 

Q.    Who  or  what  are  angels  ? 

A.  Tbey  are  good  spirits,  who  wa.it  on  God 
and  worship  him  in  heaven,  but  they. are  often 
$ent  down  to  do  service  here  on  earth. 

Q.    Who  or  what  are  devils  ? 

A.  They  are  evil  spirits,  who  were  at  first  an- 
gels of  God,  but  having  sinned  against  him,  they 
were  cast  out  of  heaven,  and  now 'they  are  al- 
ways tempting1  men  to  sin. 

Q.  But  are  not  all  these  spirits,  both 
good  and  evil,  put  under  the  dominion  of 
Christ? 

A.  Christ  is  Lord  over  them  all":  He  employs 
the  angels  ,for  the  good  of  his  people  :  and 
the  devils  can  do  no  mischief,  but  when  Christ 
suffers  them. 

Q.    What  will  become  of  the  devils  at  last  ? 
■   A.   They    are   now    kept    as    prisoners    for 
some  greater  punishment,    after  the  judgment 
day. 

Q.;  When  will  this  day  of  judgment  come^ 
when  you  said  your  body  should  rise  from  the 
dead  ?t 

A.  At  the  end  of  the  world,  Jesus  Christ  shall 
come  down  from  heaven  to  judge  all  mankind, 
and  for  that  purpose  he  &ha!l  raise  all  that  are 
dend  to  life  again. 

Q.  What  shall  be  done  to  mankind  zvhen  the 
dead  are  raised  to  lif%  ? 


■r 


IB 

A.  Christ  shall  call  them  all  to  appear  before 
bis 'seat -of  judge-merit,  wjjere  both  meTighteous 
and  the  wicked  must  give  an  account  to  him  ot 
tb'-:r  behaviour  in  this   world. 

Q.  How  will  Iht  righteous  appear  in  thatday? 

A.  The  ^righteous  shall  appear  with  courage 
and  joy,  a^  the  children  of  God,  who  have  done 
the  will  of  tlir-ir  heavenly  Father,  and  are  made 
like  him  in  holiness. 

Q.  And  how  will  the  wicked  appear  then  ? 

The  wicked  shall  stand  before  the  Judge,  with 
fear  and  shame,  like  the  children  of  the  devil  : 
for  they  have  done  his  will,  and  are  like  him  in 
sinful  works. 

Q.  And  how  will  Christ,  the  Judge  dispose 
of  men,  and  deal  with   them  in  judgment  ? 

A.  He  will  place  the  righteous  at  his  right 
hand  and  the  wicked  on  his  left,  and  wHl  pass  a 
sentence  on  them  both,  according  as  their  works 
have  been. 

Q.  After  the  judgment,  what  shall  become 
of  the  wicked? 

A.  The  wicked  shall  be  driver^  into  hell-fire, 
both  soul  and  body,  to  be  tormented  with'  the 
devil  ancf  wicked  spirits  for  ever. 

Q.  And  what  shall  be  done  to  the  righteous? 
A.  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  shall  carry  the  right- 
eous up  with  him  to  heaven*  both  soul  and  body, 
to  live,  there  with  God  their  Father,  and  with  his 
holy  angels,  in  everlasting  joy. — 'Amen. 


19 

'1 7.'  c  Pr  in  c  ip  h  s  of  th  e 

CHRISTIAN  RELIGION; 

Expressed  in  plain  and  ecCsy  Verse, 
BY  1\  DODDRlDG£,  D.  D. 

*~>fow*own  Nature^  qnd.ils  chief  Glory  and  Happ&cs^ 

IOW  for  a  while  aside  Pll  lay 

My  childish  trifles  and  ray  play  ; 

And  call  my  thought?,  which  rove  abroad, 

To  view  myself,  and  view  my  God  :  ., 

I'll  look  within,  that  I  may  see" 

What  I  how  am,  what  I  must  be. 

I  am  the  creature  of  the  Lord ;  .     ■ 

He  made  me  hy  h^s  powerful  word  ; 
This  body  in  each  curious  part, 
Was  wrought  by  his  unfailing  aft  ■.; 
From  him  my  nobler  spirit  came, 
My  soul,  a  spark  of  heavenly  flame  ; 
That  soul  by  which  my  body  live,s, 
Which  thinks,-  and  "hopes,  and  joys,  and  grieves^ 
And  must  in  heaven  or  hell  remain, 
When  flesh  Js  turn'd  to  dust  ac;ain. 

What  business  then  should  I  attend  ? 
Or  what  esteem  my  noblest  end  ?  •  \ 

•Sure  it  consists  in  this  alone, 
That  God  my  Maker  may  be  known; 
So  known  that  I  may  love  him  still,         * 
And  form  my  actions  by  his  will  »*.'.,_ 
That  he  may  bless  me  while  I  live, 
And  when  I  die  my  soul  receive, 
To  dwell  for  ever  in  his  sight,  « 

In  perfect  knowledge  and  delight. 


The  Knowledge  of  God' and  our  Duly,  k^be  Icarnei 
from  the  Bible, 
HOW  shall  a  little  infant  learn 
This  great,  this  infinite  concern,  ,    . 

What  my  Almighty  Maker  is,  , 


20 

And  what  the  way  this  God  to  please  ? 

Shall  some  blight  angel  spread  his  wing, 
The  welcome  message  down  1o  bring  ! 
Or  must  we  dig  beneath  the  ground, 
Deep  as  where  silver  itoines  are  found  •?. 

I  bless  his  name  for  what  I  hear?- 
The%ord  of  life  artd  truth"  is  near;  f 

His 'gospel  sounds  through  all  oor  land 
{Bibles  are  lodged  in  every  hand  : 
That  sacred  book}  inspired  by  God, 
In  our  own,  tongue  is  spread  abroad  : 
That  book  may  little  children  read, 
And  learn  the  knowledge  which  they  need  * 
I'll  place  it  still  before  my  eyes, 
For  there  my  hope  and  treasure  lies. 

■  '       _      ■* 
>     Of  the  Nature  und  Attributes  of  the  blessed  God 

GOD  i3  a  Spirit  none  can  see"; 
He  ever  was,  and  e'er  shall  be  ; 
Present  where'er  his  creatures  dwell, 
Through  earth  and  sea,  through  heaven  and  hell. 

His  eye  with  infinite  survey, 
Views  all  their  realms  in  full  display  ; 
What  has  been,  is,  or  shall  be  done. 
Or  h«re,  or  there,  to  him  is  known  : 
Nor  can  one  thought  arise  unseen, 
In  mind  of  angels  or  of  men  : 
Yet  far  above-all  anxious  cares, 
Calmly  he  rules*  his  grand  affairs  ; 
While  wisdom  infinite  attends, 
By  surest  means  the  noblest  ends. 

Majestic  from  his  lofty  throne 
He  speaks,  and  all  his  will  is  done  ; 
Ner  can  united  worlds  withstand 
The  force  <">»'  his  almighty  hand  ; 
Yet  ever  righteous  are  his  ways, 
Faithful  and  true  whatever  he  says  . 
The  holy,  holy,  holy  Lord, 
By  all  th1  angelic  hosts  adored. 


21 

ilie  bounty  of  his  gracious  hand*, 
"Wide  as  the  world  he  made  extends  ; 
And  though  himself  completely  blcss'dj 
With  pity  looks  on  the  distress'd, 
And  by  his  Son,  our  Saviour  dear, 
To  sinners  brings  salvation  near. 

All  that  is  glorious,  good,  and  great, 
Does  in  the  Lord  Jehovah  meet; 
Then  to  his  name  be  glory  given 
By  all  on  earth,  and  all  in  heaven. 


Of  GocPs  Relation  to  uj, 

THE  Lord,  my  Maker,  I  adore, 
Created  by  his  lovti  and  power  ; 
He  fashioned  in  their  various  forms  ; 
Angels,  and  men,  and  beasts,  and  worms^ 
And  all  their  well  ranged  orders  stand, 
Supported  by  his  powerful  hand. 

Father  of  light,  amkjstthe  skies 
He  bids  the  golden  sun  arise  : 
He-  scatters  the  refreshing  rain, 
To  cheer  the  grass  and  swell  the  grain  : 
And  every  day  presents  the  food 
That  satisfies  my  mouth  with  good. 

At  home,  abroad,  by  night,  by  day. 
He  is  my  guardian  and  my  stay ; 
And  sure  'tis  fit  ray  soul  should  know, 
lie  is  my  Lord  and  Sovereign  too. 

O  may  that  voice  that  speaks  his  law. 
My  heart  to  sweet  obedience  draw  ; 
That  when  I  see  the  Judge  descend, 
I  in  that  Judge  may  see  my  friend, 

The  Sum  of  our  Duty  to  God  and  Mar,.. 
THE  knowledge  which  my  heart  desires 
Js  but  to  Team  what  God  requires : 
Speak  then  the  word,  my  Father  dear, 
For  all  my  souPs  awake  to  hear  : 
And  O,  what  joy  my  breast  mu=t  more 


w 

22 

To  hear  that  a!l  thy  law  is  love ! 

This  ib  tba  sura  of  every  part, 
To  love  the  Lord  with  all  my  heart, 
\Vith  all  my  soul,  with  all  my  might, 
And  in  his  service  to  delight  : 
That  I  should  love  my  neighbours  too, 
And  what  I  wish  from  them  should  do. 

How  short  and  sweet,  how  good  and  plain., 
Easy  to  learn  and  to  retain ! 
O  may  thy  grace  my  soul  renew  ! 
And  'twill  be  sweet  to  practise  too. 


How  our  Love  to  God  is  to  be  expressed, 
SINCE  love  is  as  my  duty  known, 

How  must  this  love  to  God  be  shown  ? 

feure  I  the  highest  thoughts  should  raise 

Oi  Km  who  is  above  all  praise  ; 

His  favours  most  of  all  desire, 

And  stiil  to  please  him  should  aspire  : 

To  him  be  coustant  worship  paid, 

And  all  his  sacred  laws  obey'd. 
If  to  afflict  rne  be  his  will, 

I'll  bear  it  with  submission  still : 

A  tender  Father  sure  he  proves, 

And  but  corrects,  because  he  loves 
His  word  with  diligence  I'll  hear  ; 

To  him  present  my  daily  prayer  ; 

Anci  while  new  mercies  I  implore, 

For  blessings  past  1  will  adore  ; 

And  every  action  shall  express 

A  h<  an  (nil  charged  with  thankfulness, 


How  Love  to  our  Neighbour  should  be  expressed, 
I  by  mv  J"..:  to  men  must  prove, 
Hew  cordially  any  Cod  I  Jove  : 
To  those  whom  he  hath  clothM  with  power, 
I  would  be  subject  every  hour  ; 
To  parents,  and  to  ruler?  too, 
Pay  honour  and  obedience  due  I 


23 

la  eWery  word  would  truth  preserve^ 
Nor  let  one  act  from  justice  swerve. 

In  all  my  feeble  hands  can  do, 
The  good  of  all  I  would  pursue  ; 
And  where  my  powers  of  action  fail, 
Kind  wishes  in  my  heart  prevail 
For  every  man.  whoe'er  he  be, 
Stranger,  or  friend,  or  enemy. 

Since  by  God's  pardoning  grace  I  live, 
Well  may  I  all  my  foes  forgive  : 
And,  as  Christ's  word  and  pattern  show'd, 
Conquer  their  evil  by  my  good. 


Sins  to  be  avoided  in  Thought,  Word,  and  Action 

GUARD  me,  0  God,  from  every  sin, 
Let  heart,  and  tongue,  and  life  be  clean  ! 
Thongh  with  ten  thousand  suares  beset, 
I  never  will  my  Lord  forget. 

Fain  would  I  learn  to  lay  aside 
Malice,  and  stubbornness,  and  pride  ; 
Envy,  and  every  evil  thought ; 
Nor  be  my  breast  with  a'nger  hot : 
Each  other  passion  wild  and  rude, 
llong  to  feel  by  grace  subdued. 

When  thus  my  heart  is  well  prepared, 
My  tongue  I  easily  shah  guard 
From  every  oath  and  curse  profane, 
Nor  take  God's  reverend  name  in  vain  r 
.No  sacred  things  shall  I  deride, 
Nor  scoff,  nor  rail,  nor  brawl,  nor  chide  r 
My  soul  will  every  lie  detest, 
And  every  base  indecent  jest. 

This  humble  watchful  soul  of  mine 
Shall  with  abhorrence  then  decline 
The  drunkard's  cup,  the  glutton's  feast, 
That  sink  the  man  below  the  beast ; 
The  injurious  blow,  the  wanton  eye  ; 
The  loss  of  hours  that  quickly  fly  ; 
Aud.  that  which  leads  to  every  crime. 


24 

The  vain  misponce  of  sacred  time  ; 
What  brings  dishonour  on  God's  law, 
Or  what  on  man  would  mischief  draw. 

Of  the  Misery  ichkh  Sin  hath  brought  upon  iff 

"WHO  can  abide  God's  wrath,  or  stand 
Before  the  terrors  of  his  hand  ? 
Jehovah's  curse  what  heart  shall  dare 
To  meet?  or  what  be  strong  to  bear  ? 

He  every  good  can  take  away, 
And  every  evil  on  us  lay  : 
Can  by  one  single  word  bring  down 
The  tallest  head  that  wears  a  crown  ; 
The  statesman  wise,  the  warrior  brave,, 
To  moulder  in  the  silent  grave  : 
And  send  Uie  wretched  soul  to  hell, 
To  the  fierce  flames  where  devils  dwell,. 
For  endless  years  to  languish  there, 
In  pangs  of  infinite  despair. 

I  then,  poor  feeble  child,  how  soon 
Must  I  dissolve  before  his  frown  ! 
And  yet  his  frowns  and  vengeance  too, 
I,  by  my  sins,  have  mode  my  due. 

Is  there  no  hope,  and  must  I  die  ? 
Is  there  no  friend,  -nor  helper  nigh  ? 
Is  it  beyond  repeal  decreed, 
That  every  soul  that  sins  must  bleed  I 
Q  let  my  longing,  trembling  ear, 
Some  sound  of  grace  and  pardon  hear  - 
My  soul  would  the  first  news  embrace, 
And  turn  its  trembling  into  praise. 


Of  the  Gosyel,  or  the  JV*c«w  of  Salvation  by  C 

WHAT  joyful  tidings  do  I  hear  ! 
•Til  gospel  graee  saLutes  my  ear  : 
And  by  that  gracious  sound  I  find 
This  righteous  God  is  mild  and  kiud. 

Jesus,  his  holy  Son,  displays 
The  wonders  of  his  Father's  irrate  j 


25 

The  great  salvation,  long  foretold 

By  prophets  to  the  Jews  of  old, 

Is  now  in  plainer  Word*  made  known, 

As  to  the  apostles  clearly  shown. 

By  this  bless'd  message;,  brought  from  heavejjy 

Pardon,  and  peace,  and  grace  is  given. 

O  may  I  know  that  Saviour  dear, 
Whom  God  hath  represented  here  1 
And  that  eternal  life  receive, 
Which  he  was  sent  by  God  to  give. 

Who  Christ  is,  and  how  he  lived  on  Ecfrffi, 

JESUS !  how  bright  his  glories  shine  I 
The  great  Immanuel  is  divine  ; 
One  with  the  Father  he  appears, 
And  all  his  Father's  honouus  shares ; 
Yet  he,  to  bring  salvatiou  down,-. 
Has  put  our  mortal  nature  on. 

He  in  a  humble  virgin's  womb 
A  feeble  infant  did  become  ; 
A  stable  was  his  lodging  made, 
And  the  rude  manger  was  his  bed. 
Growing  in  life  he  still  was  seen 
Humhle,  laborious,  poor,  and  mean .; 
The  Son  of  God  from  year  to  year, 
Did  as  a  carpenter  appear. 

At  length,  when  he  to  preach  was  senf« 
Through  towns  and  villages  he, went; 
And  travelled  with  unwearied  zeal, 
God's  will  andnatupe  to  reveal. 

To  prove  the  heavenly  truths  he  taught, 
Unnumber'd  miracles  were  wrought; 
The  blind  beheld  him,  and  the  ear 
Which  had. been  deaf,  his  voice  could  hear; 
sickness  obey'd  his  healing  hand, 
And  devils  fled  at  his  command ; 
The  lame  for  joy  around  him.leap ; 
The  dead  he  wakens  from  their  sleep. 

Through  all  his  life  his  doctrine  shire?., 

F 


2o 

Drawn  in  the  plainest,  fairest  lines  ; 
And  death  at  length  did  he  sustain, 
Our  pardon  and  our  peace  to  gain ; 
That  sinners  who  condemned  stood, 
Might  gain  salvation  by  his  blood. 
All  honour  then  ascribed  be, 
To  him  who  Jived  and  died  for  me  '. 


Of  Chrises  Death,  Resurrection,  and  Ascciision- 

JESUS,  the  righteous!  lo,  he  dies 
For  sin  a  spotless  sacrifice ! 
Justice  has  on  his  sacred  head 
The  weight  of  our  transgressions  laid. 
If  God's  own  Son  would  sinners  save, 
fie  must  be  humbled  to  the  grave  ; 
That  so  a  pard'ning  God  mig.it  show 
What  vengeance  to  our  crimes  was  due. 

Nail'd  to  the  cross  with  tort'ring  smart, 
What  anguish  rack'd  his  tender  heart ! 
Alas,  how  bitterly  he  cry'd  ! 
Tasted  the  vinegar,  and  died  ! 
Cold  in  the  tomb,  that  mournful  day, 
My  Saviour's  mangled  body  lay. 
Well  may  I  blush,  and  weep  to  see 
What  Jesus  bore  for  love  of  me. 

But,  O  my  soul,  thy  grief  refrain, 
Jesus,  the  Saviour,  lives  again  ! 
On  the  third  day,  the  Cenqu'ror  rose,, 
And  greatly  triumph'd  o'er  his  foes ; 
I'roved  his  recover'd  life,  and  then 
Ascended  to  his  heaven  again  ! 

Exalted  on  a  shining  throne, 
At  God's  right  hand  he  sits  him  down, 
To  plead  the  merits  of  his  blood, 
And  rule  for  all  his  people's  good. 
Wide  o'er  all  the  worlds  his  power  extendi, 
And  well  can  he  protect  his  friends  ; 
'May  I  in  that  blest  band  appear, 
Secure  from  danger  and  from  fear, 


27 


Of  Ike  Nature  of  Faith  and.  Reptntanc^ 
THEY  must  repent  and  must  believe, 
Who  Christ's  salvation  would  receive  : 

0  may  the  Spirit  faith  impart, 
And  work  repentance  in  my  heart ! 

Bless'd  Jesus,  who  can  be  so  base 
As  to  suspect  thy  power  of  grace  I 
Or  who  can  e'er  so  stupid  be, 
To  slight  thy  blessings,  Lord,  and  thee ! 
With  humble  reverent  hope  and  love, 

1  to  thy  gracious  feet  would  move  ; 
And  to  thy  care  my  all  resign, 
Resolved  to  be  for  ever  thine ; 
Secure,  if  thou  vouchsafe  to  keep 
My  feeble  soul  among  thy  sheep. 

The  sins  and  follies  1  have  done, 
Humbled  in  dust,  I  would  bemoan  5 
And  while  past  guilt  I  thus  deplore, 
I  would  repeat  that  guilt  no  more  ; 
But  by  a  life  of  zeal  and  love 
True  faith  and  penitence  approve  : 
So  shall  thy  grace  my  sins  forgive, 
Jesus  shall  smile,  and  I  shall  live. 


Of  the  Assistance  and  Influence  of  the  blessed  Spirit 

'TIS  not  in  my  weak  power  alone, 
To  melt  this  stubborn  heart  of  stone, 
My  soul  to  change,  my  life  to  mend, 
Or  seek  to  Christ,  that  gen'rous  friend, 

'Tis  God's  own  Spirit  from  above 
Fixes  our  faith,  inflames  our  love  1 
And  makes  a  life  divine  begin 
In  wretched  souls  long  dead  in  sin. 

That  most  important  gift  of  heaven, 
To  those  that  ask  and  seek,  is  given  : 
Then  be  it  my  immediate  care, 
With  importunity  of  prayer, 
To  seek  it  in  a.  Saviour's  name, 
W^o  will  not  turn  my  hope  to  shame , 


28 

God  from  on  high  his  grace  shall  pour; 
My  soul  shall  flourish  more  and  more, 
Press  on  with  speed  from  grace  to  grace, 
Till  glory  end  and  crown  the  race. 

Since  th"n  the  Falher  and  the  Son, 
And  Holy  Spirit,  Three  m  One, 
Glorious  beyond^ll  speech  and  thought, 
Have  jointly  ray  salvation  wrought ; 
I'll  join  them  in  my  songs  of  praise, 
tfow,  and  through  heaven's  eternal  days. 


Of  the  Means  of  Grace  which  God  hath  appointed, 

WHAT  kind  provision  God  has  made, 
That  we  may  safe  in  heaven  be  led  ! 
For  this  the  prophets  preach'd  and  wrote, 
For  this  the  b  legs' d  apostle  taught ; 
Taught,  as  that  Spirit  did  inspire, 
Who  fell  from  heaven  in  tongues  of  fire, 
And  gave  them  languages  unknown, 
That  distant  lands  his  grace  might  own. 
His  hand  has  kept  the  sacred  page 
Secure  from  men's  and  devils'  rage. 

For  this,  he  churches  did  ordain, 
IILs  truths  and  worship  to  maintain  ; 
For  this  he  pastors  did  provide, 
In  those  assemblies  to  preside  ; 
And  from  the  round  of  common  days, 
Mark'd  out  our  sabbaths  to  his  praise  ; 
Delightful  day  !  when  Christians  meet 
To  hear,  and  pray,  and  sing,  how  sweet  t 

For  this  he  gives,  in  solemn  ways, 
Appointed  tokens  of  his  grace  : 
In  sacramental  pledges,  there, 
His  soldiers  to  their  General  swear; 
Baptized  into  one  common  Lord, 
They  joyful  meet  around  his  board  ; 
Honour  the  orders  of  lus  house, 
£nd  speak  their  love,  and  seal  their  to 


29 


Of  the  Design  and  Obligation  of  Baptiim* 
IN  baptism  wash'd  we  all  must  be, 
la  honour  of  the  sacred  Three, 
To  show  how  we  are  washed  from  sia 
In  Jesus'  blood,  and  born  again 
By  grace  divine,  and  thus  are  made 
Members  of  Christ,  our  common  Head. 

The  Father  form'd  the  glorious  scheme, 
And  we  adopted  are  by  him. 

The  Son,  great  prophet,  priest,  and  kiog2 

gid  news  of  his  redemption  bring  \ 
e  by  his  death  our  life  procured, 
And  now  bestews  it  as  our  Lord. 
The  holy  Spirit  witness  bore 
To  this  bless'd  Gospel  heretofore  : 
And  teaches  those  he's  purify'd, 
Faithful  and  patient  to  .abide. 

Into  these  names  was  I  baptized, 
And  be  the  honour  justly  prized  ; 
Nor  let  the  sacred  bond  be  broke, 
Nor  be  my  covenant  God  forsook. 
Thus  wash'd,  I  keep  my  garments  clean, 
And  never  more  return  to  sin. 
One  body  now  all  Christians  are  j 
O  may  they  in  one  spirit  share ! 
And  cherish  that  endearing  love, 
In  which  the  saints  are  blest  above  I 


On  the  Nature  and  Design  of  the  LorcPs  Supptr. 

THE  mem'ry  of  Christ's  death  is  sweet, 
When  saints  around  his  table  meet, 
And  break  the  bread,  and  pour  the  wine, 
Obedient  to  his  word  divine. 

As  they  the  bread  and  cup  receive, 
So  while  on  Christ  their  souls  believe, 
They  eat  his  desh,  they  drink  his  blood  ; 
Cordial  divine,  and  heavenly  food  ! 
Their  cov'nant  thus  with  God  renew, 
And  love  toovery  Christian  shw. 


30 

Well  may  their  souls  rejoice  and  thrive  ; 

0  may  the  blessed  hour  arrive, 
When,  ripe  in  knowledge  and  in  grace, 

1  at  that  board  shall  find  a  place  ! 
And  now,  what  there  his  people  do, 
I  would  at   humble  distance  view  ; 
Would  look  to  Christ  with  grateful  heart, 
And  in  their  pleasure  take  my  part ; 
Resolved  while  such  a  sight  1  see, 

To  live  to  him  who  died  for  me. 


Of  the  Nature  and  Office  of  Angels. 

MY  soul,  the  heavenly  world  survey, 
The  regions  of  eternal  day  ; 
Th^re  Jesus  reigns,  and  round  his  seat 
Millions  of  holy  angels  meet. 

Those  moving  stars,  how  bright  they  shine  I 
How  sweetly  all  their  voices  join 
To  praise  their  Maker,  watchful  still 
To  mark  the  signals  ©f  his  will ; 
While  with  their  out-stretch'd  wings  they  stand. 
To  fly  at  his  divine  command. 

All  happy  a*  they  are  and  great, 
Yet  scorn  the)  not  on  men  to  wait: 
And  little  children  in  their  arms 
They  gently  bear,  secure  from  harms. 
O  may  1,  with  such  humble  zeal, 
My  heavenly  Father's  word  fulfil  ! 
That  I,  when  time  has  run  its  race, 
May  with  bless'd  angels  find  a  place, 
Borne  on  their  friendly  wings  on  high., 
To  joys  like  theirs,  which  never  die. 


31 
PRAYERS. 

A  PRAYER 

Proper  to  be  repeated  by  a  School,  either 
Morning  or  Evening, 

OGOD,  thou  art  our  God,  we  will  praise 
thee  :  Thou  art  our  fathers  God,  and  we 
will  extol  thy  name.  Who  is  a  God  like  unto 
thee,  glorious  in  holiness,  fearful  in  praises, 
doing  wonders  ?  The  heavens  and  the  earth 
are  the  workmanship    of  thy  hands  ;   and  thevj 

goyernest  the  universe  in  infinite    wisdom. 

Thou  madest  us  for  thyself,  to  show  forth  thy 
praise.  But  we  are  sinners:  Thou  madest  man 
upright,  but  he  hath  sought  out  many  inventions. 
We  acknowledge  that  we  were  born  in  sin,  and 
that  in  our  lives  we  have  wandered  far  from  thy 
testimonies  ;  for  we  have  indulged  evil  thoughts, 
spoken  evil  words,  and  too  often  done  such 
deeds  as  are  evil. — Have  mercy  upon  us,  O  our 
God  ;  pardon  our  iniquities,  for  the  sake  of  Je- 
S.US  Christ  who  died  for  us,  and  deliver  us  from 
the  wrath  to  come. — Lord,  give  us  a  new  na- 
ture. Let  Jesus  Christ  be  formed  in  our  souls 
the  hope  of  glory. — Lord  Jesus  thou  hast  en- 
couraged little  children  to  come  unto  thee,  and 
hast  said,  that  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God. — 
Lord,  we  would  come  unto  thee.  Take  us  in. 
the  arms  of  thy  Ipve  and  bless  us,  even  us,  and 
make  us  faithful  subjects  of  thy  kingdom. — O 
give  us  grace,  we  nray  the,  to  redeem  us  from  al! 


32 

iniquity,  and  particularly  from  the  sins  and  fair 
lies  to  which  childhood  and  youth  are  subject. 
Give  us  a  wise  and  an  understanding  heart,  that 
we  may  know  and  do  thy  will  in  all  things. — r 
Be  thou  our  Father ;  teach  us  and  guide  us,  pro- 
vide for  us  and  protect  us  ;  and  as  we  increase 
in  years,  so  may  we  increase  in  knowledge  and 
in  a  ready  obedience  to  all  thy  righteous  will. 
Train  us  up  for  usefulness  in  life  :  and  when  we 
shall  have  finished  our  days  on  earth,  may  we 
be  prepared  for  death  and  received  to  thyself  in 
glory. — May  it  please  thee  to  hear  our  supplica- 
tion for  all  mankind  ;  especially  for  the  sick, 
the  sorrowful,  and  the  needy.  Grant  thy  bles- 
sings, we  pray  thee,  spiritual  and  temporal,  on' 
our  dear,  parents  and  other  relatives  and  con- 
nexions in  life.  Bless  all  schools  and  seminaries 
of  learning,  and  may  this  school  be  under  thy 
special  care  and  guidance.  Assist  us  in  our  lit- 
erary pursuits,  dispose  our  minds  to  order  and 
good  government,  and  enable  us  diligently  to 
improve  the  time  and  opportunities  we  enjoy, 
in  such  a  manner  as  will  hereafter  render  us 
useful  to  ourselves  and  to  society. — Accept  our 
thanks,  O  our  God,  for  life  and  health,  for  food 
and  taiinent,  for  education,  and  for  all  the  ble  - 
sings  of  this  life  ;  but  more  especially  for  the  gift 
of  a  Saviour  to  a  ruined  world,  the  means  of 
graee  and  hopes  of  glory. — Hear  us  and  accept 
of  us  for  the  snke  }of  Jesus  Christ  our  only  Sav- 
iour, and  thine  shall  be  the  praise,  Father, 
.Son,  arfitd  Holv  Ghost,  now  and  forever. — Amen 


33 

J  MORNING  PRAYER. 

GRACIOUS  God,  I  have  been  protected 
from  evil  through  the  past  night,  I  have 
slept  in 'safety  under  tbe  shadow  of  thy  wings, 
and  been  brought  in  comfortable  circumstances 
to  see  the  light  of  another  day — for  these  and 
all  toy  mercies,  I  return  thee  my  most  sincere 
and  grateful  thanks. — Be  with  me,  I  beseech 
thee,  through  this  day,  preserve  me  from  harm 
by  thy  power,  supply  my  wants  by  thine  abun- 
dant fulness,  guide  me  by  thy  wisdom,  and  save 
me  from  youthful  follies,  by  the  influences  of 
thy  spirit. — Help  me  to  remember  that  thin« 
eye  is  upon  me,  that  thou  knowest  my  thoughts, 
my  words,  and  actions,  and  that  the  day  is  at 
hand  when  I  shall  be  judged  before  thine  awful 
tribunal.  Grant,  G  Lord,  that  I  may  never  one 
moment  forget  that  sin  would  destroy  my  peace 
in  this  world,  would  subject  me  to  thy  right- 
eous displeasure,  and  blast  all  my  hopes  of  ev- 
erlasting salvation.— All  which  I  humbly  pray 
for,  in  the  name  and  as  a  disciple  of  Jesus 
.Christ. — Amen. 


AN  EVENING   PRAYER. 

MOST  adorable  and  merciful  Heavenly  Fa- 
ther, I  rejoice  in  thy  goodness  by  which 
I  have  been  brought  in  safety  to  the  conclusion 
of  this  day. — On  thee  I  ever  depend,  who  art 
the  author  of  all  my  mercies.  Save  me,  I  en- 
treat thee,  from  the  baseness  and  the  danger  of 
~^.king  thee  an  unworthy  return  for  tby  bless- 


34 

ings  ;  If  I  have  taken  thy  name  in  vain  ;  If  I 
have  departed  from  the  truth  ;  If  I  have  been 
undutiful  to  my  parents  ;  If  I  have  kept  bad 
company,  or  transgressed  any  of  thy  holy  laws, 
Oh  !  forgive  me,  I  beseech  thee,  and  grant  that 
1  may  do  so  no  more.  Help  me  by  thine  aid 
to  abstain  from  sin,  to  correct  my  follies,  and 
as  I  advance  in  age,  to  grow  in  the  practice  of 
piety  and  virtue. — Keep  me  from  evil,  O  Lord, 
through  the  silent  watches  of  the  night,  favor 
me  with  refreshing  sleep,  and  bring  me  in  health 
and  strength  to  see  the  light  of  the  following 
day.  Hear  my  prayer^,  I  beseech  thee,  through 
Jesus  Christ,  and  to  thy  name  be  everlasting 
praise. — Amen, 


THE  LORD'S  PRAYER- 

OUR  Father,  which  art  in  heaven,  hallowed 
be  thy  name.  Thy  kingdom  come.  Thy 
will  be  done  on  earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven.  Give 
us  this  day  our  daily  bread.  And  forgive  us 
our  trespasses,  as  we  forgive  those  who  {respass 
against  us.  And  lead  us  not  into  temptation  ; 
but  deliver  us  from  evil  :  for  thine  is  the  king- 
dom, snd  the  power  and  the  glory,  for  ev- 
er.— Amen. 


A  PRAYER  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

OMY  God  !  I  believe  in  thee.— Do  thou 
strengthen  my  belief. — I  hope  in  thee  : — - 
Do  thou  confirm  my  hope. — I  love  thee — vouch- 
safe to  redouble  my    love.     I  am  sorry  for  my 


sins.  0 !  increase  my  repentance.  I  adore  thee 
as  my  first  principle  ;  I  desire  thee  as  my  last 
end  ; — I  thank  thee  as  my  perpetual  benefactor 
■ — I  call  upon  thee  as  my  supreme  defender. 
My  God  !  be  pleased  to  guide  me  by  thy  wis- 
dom ;  rule  me  by  thy  justice  ;  comfort  me  by 
thy  mercy,  and  preserve  me  by  thy  power.  To 
thee  I  desire  to  dedicate  all  my  thoughts,  words 
and  actions  i  that  henceforth  I  may  speak  of 
thee,  act  according  to  thy  will,  and  suffer  for 
thy  glory.  Lord  !  my  will  is  subject  to  thine, 
whatever  thou  wiliest,  because  it  is  thy  will. 
I  beseech  thee  to  enlighten  my  Understanding, 
purifiy  my  body,  and  sanctify  my  soul.  Ena- 
ble me,  O  God  !  to  reform  my  past  offences,  to 
conquer  my  future  temptations,  to  subdue  the 
passions  that  are  too  strong  for  me,  and  to  prac- 
tise the  virtues  that  become  me.  O  !  fill  my 
heart  with  a  tender  remembrance  of  thy  favors, 
an  aversion  of  my  infirmities,  a  love  for  my 
neighbors,  and  a  contempt  for  the  world.  Let 
me  remember  also  to  be  submissive  and  respect- 
ful to  my  superiors,  indulgent  to  my  inferiors, 
faitbful  to  my  friends,  and  Charitable  to  my  en- 
emies. Help  me,  O  God  !  to  overcome  pleas- 
ure by  mortification  and  self-denial ;  covetous- 
ness  by  alms  ;  anger  by  a  constant  exercise  of 
meekness  ;  and  Jukewarmness  by  devotion. — 
Make  me  prudent  in  undertakings^  courageous  in 
danger,  patient  under  disappointment,  and  hum- 
ble in  success.  Let  me  never  forget  to  be  fer- 
vent in  prayer,  temperate  in  enjoyment,  and 


36 

constant  in  my  resolutions.  Inspire  trie  with  a 
desire  to  have  always  a  quiet  conscience,  an 
outward  as  well  as  inward  modesty,  an  edify- 
ing conversation,  and  a  regular  conduct.  Let 
me  always  employ  myfelf  to  resist  nature  and  to 
cherish  grace,  to  do  thy  will,  and  become  meet 
for  heaven,  through  the  merits  of  my  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ. — Amen* 


THE  CREED. 

I  BELIEVE  in  God  the  Father,  almighty  Ma- 
ker of  heaven  and  earth  :  and  in  Jesus  Christ 
his  only  Son  our  Lord.  Who  was  conceived  by 
the  Holy  Ghost,  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  suf- 
fered under  Pontius  Pilate,  was  crucified,  dea'd, 
and  buried  :  He  descended  into  hell  ;  the  third 
day  he  rose  from  the  dead  ;  he  ascended  into 
heaven,  and  sitteth  at  the  right  hand  of  God  the 
Father  almighty  ;  from  thence  he  shall  come  to 
judge  both  the  quick  and  the  dead.  I  believe 
in  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  Holy  Catholic  Church  ; 
the  communion  of  saints  ;  the  forgiveness  of  sins  T 
the  resurrection  of  the  body  ;  and  the  life  ever- 
lasting.— Amen. 


